MONTREAL – The Canadiens could not put together a third straight win in their return to the Bell Centre, dropping a 5-2 decision to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
It was the second game of a back-to-back, after Montreal defeated the Buffalo Sabres the night before. However, the contest was a first in a Montreal uniform for defenseman Gustav Lindstrom, who was recalled earlier in the day on an emergency basis, and the first of the season for goaltender Cayden Primeau.
Justin Barron opened the scoring early for the Habs, and the home team kept up the pressure after New Jersey’s first-period equalizer was called back due to goaltender interference after a coaching challenge.
But the Devils did not relent, scoring four unanswered goals – from Alexander Holtz, Tyler Toffoli, Nico Hischier, and Toffoli again – until Mike Matheson made it a 4-2 game with 9:25 remaining. Toffoli completed the hat trick with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Primeau made 29 saves in his season debut.
Here’s a look at tonight’s lineup:
