It wasn’t the hit though that was the deciding moment of the game, however. The game was over from the drop of the puck even though the Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead. The issue of consistent zone time has been a problem all season long, and it was very prevalent last night in particular.
It wasn’t even that Montreal was the better team on paper because they really aren’t too much. They were playing their backup goalie, their offensive corps is mediocre in the eyes of many, and their defense is pretty banged up. Maybe it’s just Montreal though because the last time these two teams played in Montreal they blew the Devils out on the shot clock in that game also.