The Montreal Canadiens have a basket of Easter eggs to hunt when they play host to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday in the second half of a home-and-home series.
Not only are the Canadiens (45-21-10, 100 points) on a quest to claim both halves of the mini-series after winning a 4-3 shootout clash on Saturday. They are now on a realistic push to chase the Atlantic Division crown thanks to an eight-game winning streak.
With six games remaining in the regular season, Montreal sits second in the Atlantic Division, two points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning and tied with the Buffalo Sabres, with one game in hand.
A single point will clinch a playoff spot, but the Canadiens — who last hit the century mark in the 2016-17 season — are looking for more.
“I feel 100 points is good, but we’re trying to get the best possible position for us to start (the playoffs) at home,” goaltender Jakub Dobes said. “We’re trying to finish first.”
Running their winning streak to eight came on a wild ride. The Canadiens staked a 3-0 lead before the midway point of the second period, but the Devils clawed back.
Oliver Kapanen scored the shootout winner in the fifth round to end a perfect five-game road swing.
Now to bring those winning ways to their sure to be frenzied fans.
“I know there’s gonna be a lot of energy in the building,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “We’re trying to earn that every game. I think they see we try to battle hard every game and respect that. I think that’s the foundation of our success.”
The Devils technically are still alive in the playoffs but will need all kinds of help and have no room for error.
New Jersey (39-34-3, 81 points) is seven points outside a playoff spot with six games remaining.
Even so, forcing extra time after falling behind by a trio of goals is a sign the Devils plan to go down swinging.
“Even if they scored we just kept working,” said forward Jesper Bratt, who continues to pile up the points. “We knew we were going to somehow get a goal if we kept working, kept the momentum up, and that’s what happened.”
As their likely disappointing season winds down, the Devils certainly have plenty of players making their mark.
Bratt has collected seven goals and 15 assists over the past 14 games, while Dawson Mercer has scored three goals in his past two games, Captain Nico Hischier has collected 10 points during a seven-game point streak (two goals, eight assists) and Jack Hughes has racked up 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 19 games following the Olympic break.
Getting another crack at the Canadiens, and a chance to play spoilers, gives the Devils a bit more motivation on top of the revenge factor.
“Bell Centre, a good atmosphere again,” defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler said. “It’s kind of like a mini-series. We want to go there (Sunday) and do our best.”
