Devils' Tyler Toffoli scores hat trick to spoil Cayden Primeau's likelihood to shine

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Cayden Primeau, the Canadiens’ third-string goaltender, needed to play in the end.

However in opposition to the New Jersey Devils, one of many NHL’s elite groups? One which believes it’s able to difficult this season for the Stanley Cup? And with Montreal enjoying its second sport in as many nights and within the midst of a stretch that can see it enjoying 4 instances in six days?

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Who is aware of what went into administration’s choice to start out the 24-year-old Tuesday night time on the Bell Centre? Had been they hoping to showcase Primeau for a possible commerce? Did they imagine, if Primeau crashed and burned, it could be simpler to put him on waivers, hoping he wouldn’t be claimed, earlier than demoting him to the AHL’s Laval Rocket?

“He needed to be affected person to get his alternative,” head coach Martin St. Louis stated pre-game. “He’s getting it tonight. It’s an ideal alternative.”

Primeau wasn’t the explanation the Canadiens misplaced 5-2 to the Devils. He made some massive saves at important instances, maintaining Montreal within the sport. He already had made 20 stops by barely greater than 35 minutes.

However neither did Primeau do himself any favours, permitting a rebound on certainly one of New Jersey’s targets, whereas being crushed to his glove aspect on three others. Primeau allowed a late second-period rating with the groups tied 1-1, then was crushed on a power-play purpose within the opening minute of the third.

In 22 profession NHL video games, together with 18 begins, Primeau now has a 3-13-2 document.

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“It’s powerful to remain sharp while you’re practising, and I haven’t performed in a month,” Primeau stated. “Going into it I simply needed to compete and battle, not likely give attention to targets (as a result of) targets go in. Nevertheless it was the timing of the targets. Finish of the second interval (with the chance to enter the intermission) entering into 1-1, it’s a totally completely different sport.

“You must be prepared for the whole lot,” added Primeau, who had two days’ discover he was enjoying and didn’t accompany the group to Buffalo for Monday night time’s victory. “You wish to play in opposition to the most effective. It was a superb problem. I’m pleased with the best way I competed and battled. Tomorrow you may look again on the targets and tweak what it’s a must to.”

Former Canadien Tyler Toffoli paced the Devils with three targets, together with one into an empty internet, giving him 4 this season. Alexander Holtz and captain Nico Hischier added singles. Jack Hughes, New Jersey’s main scorer, contributed 4 assists, giving him 4 targets and 14 factors in 5 video games.

The Devils, who entered the sport with the league’s greatest power-play, went 2-for-4 with the person benefit.

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Defenceman Justin Barron, along with his second purpose in as many video games, opened the scoring for Montreal and performed his most-complete sport this season, teamed with veteran Mike Matheson, who produced the Canadiens’ different purpose on an end-to-end rush, approaching the power-play halfway by the third interval with Primeau on the bench for an additional skater.

It was a bittersweet sport for Matheson. He had a team-leading 5 pictures whereas logging a team-high 26 minutes, 37 seconds of ice time. Whereas Matheson blocked two pictures, he additionally was responsible of giving the puck away 4 instances. The Canadiens dedicated 20 turnovers — the kiss of loss of life in opposition to an opportunistic group just like the Devils.

“I believe it could have been simple for us to have a look at the schedule, have an excuse and (say) we didn’t have it tonight,” Matheson stated. “It exhibits that we actually care and wish to get to that subsequent degree and wish to push the tempo to get there as shortly as attainable.”

If the defeat wasn’t troublesome sufficient, the Canadiens shall be with out unsung defenceman David Savard between six and eight weeks with a fractured left hand, sustained Monday night time. The group recalled Gustav Lindström on an emergency foundation from Laval. He was paired with Arber Xhekaj, however was restricted to 11:21 of ice time.

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“I’m not likely positive how we’re going to fill that and deal with it,” St. Louis stated of Savard’s prolonged absence. “However I noticed some actually good issues from (Barron) and Lindström on the suitable aspect. We’ll take it because it comes. I don’t have a transparent reply, however we’re going to handle.

“We fought,” he added. “We had it powerful initially of the third. They had been on high of us. We couldn’t get some room. It may have been simple to give up. We fought. To me, that’s a very good behavior. When you give up, you’re assured one factor — you’re not going to get what you need.”

The Canadiens (3-2-1) get a time without work Wednesday earlier than entertaining Columbus Thursday night time.

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