Devils' 3-2 Loss to Canadiens: Home Woes Continue

The New Jersey Devils have struggled to get positive results at home, this time falling 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens.

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In a game that the New Jersey Devils needed to get at least a point out of (and really, two points), they couldn't find a way to beat Sam Montembault enough to earn a win. Here are three takeaways from the 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. 

Devils' Poor 3rd-Period Performance

The Devils got off to a slow-ish start in this one, giving up the first goal for the 29th time in 42 games. They'd fall behind 2-0 before scoring two quick power-play goals in 51 seconds to start the third period to tie the game at 2-2. 

At that point, it felt like the Devils would get back in the game. But they couldn't build on that momentum for the rest of the third period. The Canadiens controlled play for the most part, totaling an expected goals share (xG%) of 58.68 percent at five-on-five. 

They were eventually rewarded for their efforts, as Cole Caufield got in tight on John Marino around the blue paint to put in the eventual game-winning goal. Nico Daws can't be giving up that rebound there, and that's probably part of why Marino didn't play Caufield as hard as he could've. 

Still, that effort from Marino was a bit symbolic of how the Devils played in the third period. They got the two tying goals, but there was no sense of urgency afterward. They had just two high-danger chances at five-on-five in the final period, where the game was played until they pulled for the extra attacker. 

Of course, there are injuries, and not having Jack Hughes when trailing in a game is a problem. There isn't a game-breaker who can lead the charge for a comeback; the same applies to Dougie Hamilton. But you'd still like the Devils to put in a better effort than they did in the third period in a game where they at least needed a point. 

Ditch the Nemec and Marino Experiment