J. Hughes, Bratt each has 3 points, Devils hold off Canadiens

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists, and the New Jersey Devils held on for a 5-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center on Thursday.

"We have a new head coach (Sheldon Keefe), a whole new system and a lot of new players, so I don't think this is the end result in November," Hughes said, "but we're continuing to get better and that's the plan."

Jesper Bratt had two goals and an assist, Ondrej Palat also scored, and Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves for the Devils (9-5-2), who have won two in a row and four of five.

The line of Palat, Hughes and Bratt combined for four goals, three assists and 14 shots on goal.

"We're closer to each other and that kind of sets up our offensive zone play," Bratt said of his line. "We get to keep the puck more and play more with the puck and that's when we're at our best ... when we get to skate, move the puck and tire the other team out in the O-zone."

Alex Newhook scored twice, and Sam Montembeault made 22 saves for the Canadiens (4-8-2), who have lost five straight (0-4-1) and nine of 11.

Bratt gave New Jersey a 1-0 lead at 1:33 of the first period on a tip-in at the left post off a backhand pass from the slot by Hughes.

"Our line has really had a good last bunch of games, and I think we're knocking on the door for some big games here," Hughes said. "Tonight was one of those. We played well on our road trip so we're in a good spot as a line and just got to keep going."

Palat made it 2-0 at 12:38 with a wrist shot from the bottom of the left circle off a pass by Hughes from the end boards. It was the first time this season New Jersey led a game at home after the first period.

"Palat's a really smart player to play with; he knows that me and Bratt want to play in the high ice and play with the puck where there's space," Hughes said. "I think he does a really good job of complementing us, going to the net and getting those greasy pucks in the corner."

Newhook cut it to 2-1 at 5:00 of the second period on a snap shot from the left circle off a drop pass from Jake Evans.

"We just have to find a way to come out of the right side on these," Newhook said. "Everyone in this room is trying. It's not on one line or one guy. I think we are close to flipping the switch."

Jonas Siegenthaler extended it to 3-1 at 10:20, scoring his first goal of the season on a wrist shot from the left hashmark.

Brendan Gallagher cut it to 3-2 at 19:01 on a rebound from the slot.

"We didn't get a bounce here and there, but the engagement and the work, the intentions are right where I want them to be," Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. "We're not getting rewarded right now but that's OK. We're going to keep going and find some answers for some players who are fighting it."

Hughes pushed it to 4-2 at 6:23 of the third period on a wrist shot after taking a pass from Bratt down the slot.

"Everyone sees what kind of player he is, how fun it is to watch and how fun it is to play with him," Bratt said of Hughes. "I think he had a really strong game, and he really set the tone for the team and got us that win."

Newhook made it 4-3 at 8:13 with his second goal of the game on a shot from the right post that deflected off the stick of Dougie Hamilton.

Bratt scored an empty-net goal at 19:34 for the 5-3 final.

"It was a good performance tonight," Hughes said. "We want to be a better home team. We had a really good first period, not a great second, and then closed the door in the third. It's nice to win at home, but we want to keep that going."

NOTES: Canadiens forward Cole Caufield has gone three straight games without a point following 10 goals in his first 11 games of the season. ... Hughes recorded his 28th career three-point game, moving within one of tying Aaron Broten for the fifth-most three-point games in franchise history. …Montreal forward Lucas Condotta had one shot on goal in 7:28 of ice time in his season debut. ... Bratt extended his home point streak to eight games (four goals, eight assists), tying for the fourth longest on the Devils all-time list. Kirk Muller is first (1990; 11 games).