On a night when every second counted, the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils delivered a hockey showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The tension was palpable, the stakes high, and as the third period unfolded, a handful of moments would prove to be the turning point—moments that still have the Canadiens’ faithful buzzing with questions and speculation.

But as the dust settles and the scoreboard fades into memory, it’s not just the final score that has people talking. Instead, the spotlight has shifted to a series of decisions and incidents that may shape the team’s trajectory far beyond this single game. At the heart of the conversation is Jayden Struble, a young defenseman whose night took a dramatic twist. In a contest defined by razor-thin margins, Struble’s back-to-back penalties in the third period became the focal point of post-game analysis, igniting debate among fans, analysts, and even his own coach, Martin St-Louis.

Was it simply the nerves of a young player trying to cement his place in the lineup? Or do these costly infractions hint at deeper concerns within the Canadiens’ defensive structure? With Kaiden Guhle’s imminent return looming over the roster, Struble’s performance—and the consequences of his decisions—have become a storyline that could impact the team’s defensive pairings for weeks to come.

Yet, while Struble’s penalties opened the door for the Devils’ lethal power play, fate offered the Canadiens a reprieve. Against the odds, Montreal managed to weather the storm, escaping those two penalty kills without conceding a goal. Some would call it luck, others resilience, but one thing is clear: the Canadiens flirted with disaster and lived to fight another day. Still, the incident left a mark, and as journalist Priyanta Emrith noted, it’s unlikely that Martin St-Louis will let those mistakes slide without consequence.

But the game wasn’t defined by mistakes alone. In the midst of adversity, there were glimmers of hope and flashes of brilliance. Jake Evans, often overlooked for his contributions, seized the moment with his first goal of the season against a goaltender, injecting a surge of energy into the Canadiens’ bench. It was a reminder that sometimes, the difference-makers aren’t the superstars, but the hardworking players who step up when the team needs them most. Evans’ goal may be just what he needs to reignite his offensive confidence, and it’s a testament to the depth and spirit within Montreal’s lineup.

Yet, not all coaching decisions were met with applause. As the game unfolded, fans took to social media to voice their frustration over Martin St-Louis’ choice to limit Ivan Demidov’s ice time—a move that sparked heated debate and raised questions about the coach’s strategy during critical moments.

With so many storylines converging in a single, hard-fought game, the aftermath leaves more questions than answers. What will Martin St-Louis do in response to Struble’s penalties? Can Jake Evans build on his breakthrough and become a consistent contributor? And will Demidov’s reduced role lead to changes in the lineup going forward? The answers are far from clear, but one thing is certain: the Canadiens’ journey this season promises to be anything but predictable.

Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis, defenseman Jayden struble

Photo credit: All Habs / NHL

In a very tight game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils, a few details really proved costly in the third period.

And it was mainly the name of Jayden Struble that came up in discussions, after two penalties that changed the Canadiens’ rhythm and gave the Devils the edge.

As analyst Marco D’Amico wrote on X, two consecutive penalties by Struble in the third period opened the door for the Devils’ power play.

At a moment when the Canadiens really didn’t need to make things harder for themselves, the team found itself having to defend against one of the best power plays in the NHL.

That’s not the kind of situation you want your team to be in-especially in such a close game.

Despite that, the Canadiens were lucky in their bad luck and got through those two penalties without any damage on the scoreboard.

As journalist Priyanta Emrith mentioned on her X account:

“Back-to-back penalties for Jayden Struble; Martin St-Louis isn’t going to be happy about that.”

– Priyanta Emrith

Indeed-but that’s the kind of thing that happens in big games.

Especially for a young defenseman trying to secure his spot in the starting lineup with Kaiden Guhle’s return approaching.

Jake Evans Rewarded

Even though the Canadiens were trailing in shots, they were only down by one goal heading into the final period.

Thanks to his first goal of the season against a goaltender, Jake Evans gave Martin St-Louis’ men a boost of hope.

It’s nice to see the fourth line get on the scoresheet.

I find that even if he hasn’t been putting up many points since the start of the season, Jake Evans plays a crucial role with the bleu-blanc-rouge.

Maybe that goal will help restore his confidence on offense.

It’s also worth noting that fans were critical of Martin St-Louis’ decision to reduce Ivan Demidov’s ice time…