Habs Beat Devils At Their Own Game-Habs 3, Devils 1

Strong goaltending...check. Air tight defence....check. Timely scoring....check again. The Montreal Canadiens used a gritty effort on the road to come away with a 3-1 victory over the Atlantic division leading New Jersey Devils. Jaroslav Halak sparkled in net, making 31 saves, including 14 in the 3rd period. Benoit Pouliot, Mathieu Darche, and Mike Cammalleri found the back of the net for the winners. Darche ended the night with 2 points. Martin Brodeur turned aside 21 shots in a losing effort. The Canadiens shut the Devils down after giving up a goal just over 5 minutes into the opening frame. Cammalleri's goal with under 9 minutes to go in the game was scored just moments after a pair of brilliant saves by Halak at the other end. Both teams penalty kills were strong, although both were only tested twice each. Matt D'Agostini drew back into the lineup to replace Ryan O'Byrne on the 4th line. Dags got into a nice scrap in the 3rd against the Devils Mark Fraser, obviously trying to show the "powers that be" he wants to be a Hab. Some other thoughts from a good effort:

>After allowing a breakaway early in the game, the defence, as a whole, was solid the rest of the way. Mara left in the 2nd with an apparent shoulder injury and Bergeron filled in nicely.

>Ex-Devils Gomez and Gionta were booed each time they touched the puck by the Devils fans. Gionta had a shot at the empty cage but missed...you could tell he really wanted to score.

>Martin used a bunch of different line combo's, which seemed to work. Dags started on the top unit again, but didn't last the 1st period on that line. S. Kost is apparently close to a return.

Probably not many Canadiens fans had faith the team would win tonight, but they managed to pull it off. Anytime you can beat "Habs killer" Brodeur and the Devils in their barn, it is a bonus. To be honest, the Canadiens have played the Devils really tough this year. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game tonight goes to Mathieu Darche. Game winning goal and excellent work in the corner to start goal #3. Consideration also given to Pouliot and Halak. Next up the Rangers tomorrow night back at the Bell Centre.