Canadiens at Devils
Every time it appears safe to pencil the New Jersey Devils into one of the postseason slots in the Eastern Conference, the club takes a downward turn. The struggling Devils will try to avoid their fourth losing streak of at least four games since the Christmas break when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
New Jersey is holding down the top wild card spot but has managed only five goals during its three-game losing streak despite the wondrous exploits of red-hot Taylor Hall, who has registered points in all 25 games in which he has played in the 2018 calendar year. "I'd give it all up for a couple of wins," Hall said after Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Vegas. Montreal, which is 10 points out of the final playoff spot, learned Monday that captain Max Pacioretty will miss four to six weeks due to a knee injury sustained in Friday's game versus the New York Islanders. The Canadiens, who are 3-0-4 in their last seven games overall, have dominated the series with the Devils, winning five consecutive and earning points in six straight (5-0-1) in New Jersey.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN2 (Montreal), MSG Plus (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (25-29-11): Pacioretty, who scored at least 30 goals in each of the previous four seasons and was expected to be moved at last week's trade deadline, was the latest devastating injury for Montreal, which already has star goaltender Carey Price and defenseman Shea Weber sidelined. "It's tough to see guys like that go down with injuries. The three of them are a big part of our team," forward Alex Galchenyuk said. Young defenseman Victor Mete likely is done for the season with a fractured finger that will keep him out six weeks.
ABOUT THE DEVILS: (33-25-8): Hall became the eighth different player in the last 30 years to collect a point in at least 25 straight games, although his streak is recognized as an 18-game run since he sat out three contests due to injury. Hall extended his goal-scoring streak to four in a row and also assisted on a power-play tally by Sami Vatanen, giving the team a man-advantage goal in four straight games. “You get out there in favorable situations, and you want to produce,” Hall said. “Our power play has found its groove again.”
OVERTIME
1. Hall has 18 goals and 18 assists over the last 25 games.
2. Montreal recalled G Zach Fucale from Laval of the American Hockey League after starter Antti Niemi missed Monday's practice.
3. New Jersey has killed off 17 of 18 penalties over the past eight games.