New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stops Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield (13) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Sunday, April 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

By The Canadian Press

Canadiens’ win streak ends with loss to Devils hours after clinching playoff spot

Apr 5, 2026 | 7:46 PM

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens fell 3-0 to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night, ending an eight-game winning streak just hours after clinching a second straight trip to the playoffs.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 18 shots for his first shutout of the season, while Cody Glass and Timo Meier scored for New Jersey (40-24-3), which is fighting to keep its slim post-season chances alive. Connor Brown added an empty-net goal and Jack Hughes provided two assists.

Jacob Fowler made 17 saves for Montreal (45-22-10) after the Canadiens capped an undefeated five-game road trip with a 4-3 shootout win over the Devils on Saturday.

Cole Caufield remained one goal short of his 50th for the second straight game after scoring his 48th and 49th on Thursday against the New York Rangers.

The Canadiens punched their post-season ticket earlier Sunday after the Detroit Red Wings lost 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild, making Montreal the first Canadian NHL team to secure a playoff berth this season.

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Meier opened the scoring with a tap-in at 10:47 of the first period after a shot from Jack Hughes went through Fowler’s legs and hit the post. Glass burst through the neutral zone and beat Fowler five-hole to double the lead at 18:12 in the second.

TAKEAWAYS

Canadiens: Out of sync after a long road trip. The crowd was ready to erupt with Caufield chasing his 50th, especially after the Canadiens secured a playoff berth, but the players came out flat and registered just eight shots in the first two periods. Montreal also went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Devils: Jack Hughes extended his point streak against the Canadiens to six games (four goals, eight assists), dating back to Nov. 7, 2024.

KEY MOMENT

Caufield had back-to-back one-timers from the left circle midway through the third period as the crowd rose in anticipation, only to groan when the shots sailed wide. Hordes of fans surrounded the glass with signs for Caufield during warm-ups, and one spectator held up the No. 50 in big gold birthday balloons.

KEY STAT

The Devils won their 11th consecutive road game in Montreal, the longest active run in the NHL against a single opponent. The Canadiens haven’t defeated New Jersey at the Bell Centre since Tomas Plekanec scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 win on Dec. 14, 2017.

UP NEXT

Devils: Host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Canadiens: Host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press