Article content Let’s look on the bright side. Yes it was another loss for the Canadiens , their fifth in a row and their ninth in their last 11 games. But Montreal put in a stronger effort than usual, actually coming back in the third to make the New Jersey Devils nervous.
Alas it wasn’t enough and in the end, the better team won, even though it was hardly the Devils’ best game. At the final buzzer, it was 5-3 for the hometown team. To pull out a well-worn phrase, there were too many passengers on the Habs squad, and that begins with the first line, which took the night off.
Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach were all complete non-factors and for a team like the Canadiens, which is often described as a one-line team, when those three are sleeping through the game, chances are the CH ain’t going to be winning anything. Then of course there was the team’s defensive play. It was a mess but that’s hardly a news item at this point.
But there was head coach Martin St. Louis once again saying after the game that he’s not in the least worried. “Go re-watch the game,” said St.
Louis. “I feel good about the game..
. We didn’t get bounces here and there. The engagement and the work are right where I want them to be.
” He is saying this about a team that’s lost five in a row and after a game where the top line was invisible. Well the engagement and work came from the supporting players once again Thursday, with Alex Newhook scoring two goals, doubling his .
