The New Jersey Devils’ offensive power cannot be neglected by any opponent, and the Montreal Canadiens learned that the hard way in a 5-2 loss Tuesday night at the Bell Center.

The challenge was great for Cayden Primeau, who was sent into action for the first time this season. The team’s third goalkeeper couldn’t do anything about it and gave up four times on 33 shots.

• Also read: Canadian: Primeau wins when losing

The Devils and their dangerous power play unit did a lot of damage and brought a lot of pace. The young goalkeeper limited the damage as best he could, but had to admit defeat to Alexander Holtz in the first third.

The guests’ power play had just ended when the Swede hit a puck that was in the slot with his backhand. It is the first goal of the season for the seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Tyler Toffoli hurt his former team by scoring a hat trick in the second half of the game. Captain Nico Hischier also caused a stir after being denied a goal in the first period due to interference with the goalkeeper.

Jack Hughes recorded four assists and totaled 14 points in five games.

Rare occasions

When the Devils were threatening on the power play, it was much more difficult for the Canadian. Difficult, the local favorites lost valuable seconds trying to get into the area, which led to nothing.

It was two defensemen who scored Montreal’s goals. Justin Barron scored the first goal of the game, his second in two games, by returning a return throw from Michael Pezzetta.

Michael Matheson climbed the entire ice in spectacular fashion to beat Vitek Vanecek on a breakaway. And all this while Martin St-Louis had displaced Primeau on the power play in favor of a sixth fielder and there were 10 minutes left on the scoreboard.

This success buoyed CH at the end of the game, but they couldn’t finish the job.

The team remains in Montreal to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

SUMMARY

THIRD PERIOD

8:00 p.m. – End of period.

7:35 p.m. – GOAL NJ 5-2 Tyler Toffoli completes his hat trick in an empty net.

10:35 – BUT MTL 4-2 Mike Matheson makes a great move and scores a spectacular goal! It’s his first this season. Cole Caufield gets an assist on this play.

10:16 – Erik Haula receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.

07:40 – John Marino receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.

07:17 – GOAL NJ 4-1 Mike Matheson is unable to vacate his territory. Tyler Toffoli takes advantage and scores his second goal of the game. The Devils take a three-goal lead.

07:10 – Arber Xhekaj receives a penalty. The Devils will play on the power play.

00:34 – GOAL NJ 3-1 In the power play, Nico Hischier completed a nice pass from Jack Hughes. Jesper Bratt also gets an assist. His first goal of the season gives the Devils a two-goal lead.

00:00- Start of period.

SECOND PERIOD

8:00 p.m.- End of period.

6:40 p.m. – Justin Barron receives a penalty. The Devils will play on the power play.

18:22 – GOAL NJ 2-1 Tyler Toffoli hits the target with a swinging shot. The Devils take the lead. This is his second of the season.

1:35 p.m. – Jake Evans receives a penalty. The Devils will play on the power play.

10:33 – Kevin Bahl receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.

00:00- Start of period.

FIRST PERIOD

8:00 p.m.- End of period.

2:40 p.m. – Brendan Smith receives a penalty. The Canadians will play on the power play.

1:25 p.m. – GOAL NJ 1-1 Alexander Holtz grabs a throwback and scores. His first goal of the season allows the Devils to equalize. Timo Meier and Dougie Hamilton get assists.

11:23 – Johnathan Kovacevic receives a penalty. The Devils will play on the power play.

09:11- Cayden Primeau makes an excellent save against Ondrej Palat.

07:03 – GOAL FAILED Jesper Bratt catches Nico Hischier with a nice pass. The latter scores, but he comes into contact with Cayden Primeau in the sequence. The Canadians compete and they win. The goal is not recognized.

05:49 – BUT MTL 1:0 Justin Barron jumps on Michael Pezzetta’s return throw and beats Vitek Vanecek. His second goal of the season puts Montreal in the lead.

00:00 – Start of the game.

In front of the net

Vitek Vanecek

Cayden Primeau

Training from trainer Martin St-Louis