You can follow A.J. Bassett’s live blog live during every Montreal Canadiens game at Habs Game Blog.

Montreal 3, New Jersey 1

FIRST PERIOD:

– Pretty fast start for the Habs, bolstered by an aggressive setup in centre ice – Canadiens aiming to generate some Jersey giveaways with a tight forecheck there, so far it’s working.

– Yeah, gonna be one of those nights. Wrister from the point fired by Santini, defected just under the crossbar height by Zajac to give the Devils the first goal. Danault line wasn’t doing a very good job coming back to defend their zone, so Jersey took advantage of the opportunity.

– What a play by Radulov, carrying the puck and making an absolutely mind-bogglingly perfect pass behind and on Galchenyuk’s tape, who one-times it in off the post. Goal scoring at its purest and prettiest.

– Galchenyuk goal coming without Andrew Shaw on the first line man advantage – not because Therrien had wised up, but because he was finishing his shift when the penalty was drawn. The gods are practically screaming KEEP. HIM. OFF. THE. POWERPLAY.

– More hard work, Pacioretty draws a trip, Montreal right back on the powerplay. Betcha Shaw starts it. I’ll just bethca.

– HE DOES NOT. PROGRESS!

– No goals scored, but a great looking powerplay. Galchenyuk, Radulov, Pacioertty, Weber and Beaulieu had the Devils pinned hard for the first 90 seconds. Jersey lucky to escape.

– Beaulieu prefers the wrist shot, which is fine for a quick release, but it’s simply not strong enough to reach the net with any potential. More often than not it’s blocked, because NHL defensemen (these days) specialize in stopping shots before they reach the net.

– Strong period so far for De La Rose – his chances to establish a regular presence on this roster are fast running out, mainly because he’s been improperly utilized mainly as a grinder – but that’s another topic.

– Don’t see nearly the same chemistry this period with Danault up the middle with Radulov and Paciroetty that we saw with Galchenyuk centering them the Habs first two powerplays. I guess Michel Therrien hasn’t realized the hints that the game is dropping him.

– That’s a pretty good first period for the Habs, very reminiscent of their December 8th game which they largely dominated from the start basically right to the finish. Montreal with more speed and better forecheck in the frame, Devils had limited scoring opportunities – I counted 2, maybe 3 … one of which found it’s way in. Otherwise, a forgettable period for Jersey.

SECOND PERIOD:

– SOG were 10-3 Habs, and even more lopsided attempt-wise – Montreal’s even strength CF, an eye-popping 81%:

– More good shifts by De La Rose – really doesn’t fit the 4th line prototype that Therrien has been trying to push him into for years. His NHL career should have been made (or broken) as a top-9 winger. He’ll likely not ever get that chance now.

– Canadiens not showing any let down – dominance continues, Jersey offence looks pretty downright disinterested. Not sure how much longer Kinkaid can hold on before the walls finally cave in.

– 11 minutes left, Habs lowest percentage CF player is Mark Barberio, at an astounding 57%. That’s 20 out of 20 which gives you an idea how one-sided this game has been, except for goal scoring. That the Habs aren’t already leading this game 3 or 4-1 is another indicator this team might demonstrate some solid possession stats, but they struggle generating shots from dangerous spots on the ice. It’s been this way for a good month.

– Habs taking too many low percentage shots from the line – that’s fine when you’re playing a patient game, or protecting the lead – but not fine when your opponent is on the ropes, and the knockout punches are there for the taking.

– Habs are swarming, not unlike the Pens were doing to Montreal on Wednesday night. The difference? The Pens were finishing their plays. Canadiens just a little bit off tonight, even though they’re completely overwhelming New Jersey with ferocious checking.

– Andrew Shaw continues to be a problem, killing the setups, frequently not looking for mates in good scoring positions, and feeding the puck back to the line. It’s the “safe” play, utterly uncreative, and totally stifling the Canadiens scoring opportunities.

THIRD PERIOD

– More Habs dominance in the 2nd period, but it’s amounting to nothing on the scoreboard because the Canadiens (again) are failing to generate dangerous scoring attempts. Too many pucks fed to the point, too many point shots that are either blocked, or easily turned aside. Anyway, Habs 5v5 CF two-period total is 70.5%:

– Stollery called for a 5 minute major as he blindside boards Beaulieu. Seems to me the NHL is finally taking these checks seriously lately. That’s the 2nd 5 minute board I’ve seen this week.

The hit on Beaulieu. They gave it a 5 minute penalty for boarding. You be the judge: pic.twitter.com/e3DgxmvjLh

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 21, 2017

– Whelp, it’s yet another point shot, but this time it’s Weber, it’s unblocked, and it’s unstoppable. Habs finally break through, lead 2-1, and will stay on the powerplay.

– Bit of a broken play springs Pacioretty all alone with the puck in the slot, he slips a wrister though Kinkaid’s legs, and it’s 3-1, the Canadiens finally breaking through on the scoreboard. Radulov, who did not have a good game Wednesday night, with 3 assists so far. Habs still on the powerplay.

– More lack of Devils discipline puts the Habs right back on the powerplay, which mostly sans Andrew Shaw tonight, has been pretty darned good.

– Habs swarm, come close, but don’t extend their lead by 3. Nonetheless, the powerplay unit has looked superb much of the night, and while I’m not suggesting a coincidence, Andrew Shaw has received only 2 powerplay shifts tonight.

– Devante Smith-Pelly. His even strength CF tonight? 0%. How does he still keep a job in the NHL??

– Andrighetto has taken great strides in the right direction this season, especially since his latest call-up. But he’s still prone to young mistakes, a clear-cut 2-on-1 where the lone defender was basically surrendering a path to the goal to protect the pass, and of course, still learning, he passes, which is easily intercepted. Just little errors, but totally correctable ones. He’ll be good, as long as Habs management continues to be patient and gives him a fair chance.

– Meek end to this game, the Devils look utterly defeated, just going through the motions, firing the occasional shot at Montoya, but nothing remotely challenging. Jersey has a bad hockey team. Very bad.

– I think we can file this as another dominating win for the Habs, second time they’ve done that this season. Powerplay was on fire, while the Devils were, for the most part, pathetic – especially with the puck. Nice “reset’ win for the Habs, who now hope to convert the momentum of tonight’s win and carry it into Buffalo to face another beatable opponent.