The New Jersey Devils had an opportunity to get above .500 for just the second time this season, and they spoiled it once again.

Despite controlling play for much of the game and outshooting the Montreal Canadiens 30-17, they were unable to pick up even one point at the Bell Centre.

Carey Price came up with big stop after big stop while Martin Brodeur failed to make them in key moments.

Steve Bernier scored for the second straight game and Michael Ryder found twine as well, but it wasn't enough for the Devils to come away victorious.

10 thoughts:

1. Eric Gelinas was very good once again. He had a couple hiccups in the defensive zone, but for the most part he was positionally sound and did a good job with zone exits whether carrying it himself or making a crisp outlet pass to a forward. He was very physical as he had a game-high four hits and he was excellent offensively, as well. No. 22 had a few good, hard shots that led to scoring chances and he also had a couple P.K. Subban-like end-to-end rushes that resulted in scoring opportunities. He's becoming more confident with the puck every time he's on the ice which bodes well for a Devils team that has lacked offense from the back end for years. He now has 11 points in 19 games and continues to log 20+ minutes a night.

2. Gelinas wasn't the only young Devils defenseman that impressed as Jon Merrill also had another fine game. Merrill was smart with the puck, kept things simple and did a good job of limiting scoring chances. Whenever the Devils were hemmed in their own zone he always seemed to be in the shooting lane and he had a team-high three blocked shots as a result. Merrill was on for 24 shot attempts for while only 10 went against New Jersey and was a 70% possession player for the second consecutive game. He was 4th among Devils defenseman in ice playing about 18 and a half minutes.

3. I like Jacob Josefson and respect his defensive abilities, but he wasn't too good last night. He was chasing the puck a lot and for whatever reason seemed to be lost in his own zone. He made a couple bad reads, failed to get the puck out a few times and looked like he needed a compass to navigate his way around the defensive zone.

4. Steve Bernier was very good once again. He was strong on the puck, relentless on the forecheck and he had several quality scoring opportunities as a result. He scored for the second straight game and finished the night with a game-high of six shots.

5. How about that shot from Michael Ryder? It resembled the shots we saw from the guy who used to wear No. 17. Hopefully getting on the board with a goal like that will help jump start his game. He's always been a streaky scorer.

6. Adam Henrique recorded an assist and now has points in three consecutive games. It's the first time all season he's done that. Hopefully he's good to go tomorrow so he can try and extend that streak.

7. The Devils only took two penalties last night and were scored on during one of the opportunities, yet Andy Greene still played three minutes short handed. He's been an absolute beats on the PK this year and is one of the reasons it's been so successful. Greene has been on the ice for 63% of all the time the Devils have spent down a man this season. That's 3rd in the league.

8. Ryane Clowe was practicing today for the first time in who knows how long. That's a good sign because a) the Devils need someone who will crash the net and bang in garbage goals and; b) it means Cam Janssen will soon be out of the lineup.

9. Cory Schneider will get the nod in goal on Wednesday. He's won his last three starts and has only allowed three goals in that span so I'm sure he'll be on his game. If the Devils can get two or three for him it'll likely be enough for a win.

10. Carey Price was exceptional last night and his efforts deserve some space here. While he did make some pretty remarkable saves, the Devils didn't do a good enough job crashing the net, getting in his face and screening him. They'll need to do more of that Wednesday because, well, it works. Bernier scored his goal that way.

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