NEWARK, N.J. _ In the end, it wasn't an inability to translate a strong road trip into a good home game that frustrated the Devils so much, nor was it their lack of an attack. It was a perceived inconsistency in officiating.
The Devils, taking a season-low 17 shots, had a three-game winning streak snapped as the Canadiens scored three power-play goals, including the decisive two on a questionable five-minute boarding major to defenseman Karl Stollery just 28 seconds into the third period
It was the opener of a back-to-back set for the Devils (19-19-9), who are at Philadelphia on Saturday night, yet it seemed they were already playing on tired legs. Keith Kinkaid, subbing for Cory Schneider after the expected starter battled an illness in the morning, made 23 saves.
Al Montoya had the easy night in net for the Canadiens (28-13-6), who were 3-for-7 on the power play and did a terrific job clogging the neutral zone at even strength.
Stollery did push Nathan Beaulieu from behind and the defenseman did sprawl into the boards in the Devils' zone 28 seconds into the third period, sparking a scrum. But it did appear Beaulieu turned before the hit. Still, Stollery was assessed a five-minute boarding major, which became a three-minute power play with Torrey Mitchell drawing a two-minute minor for roughing. Devils coach John Hynes was clearly agitated arguing with referee Dean Morton.
The Devils are still sensitive that defenseman John Moore remained out for the 10th straight game with a concussion after needing to be taken off the ice on a stretcher on a more vicious hit from the Capitals' Tom Wilson on Dec. 31.
Wilson was neither penalized, fined, nor suspended for the hit.
Shea Weber gave the Canadiens a 2-1 lead with a one-timer at 3:01 and the power play continued since it was a major. Max Pacioretty made it 3-1 at 4:23 on a power-play shot that deflected in off Adam Henrique's leg.
The Devils wanted to build momentum off an impressive 3-0-1 road trip, which concluded with Tuesday's come-from-behind win, 4-3, at Minnesota, as they scored three goals in the third period against the Wild, who had come into that game on a 17-1-1 spurt.
The game started a stretch of 12 of 16 at The Rock for the Devils, who, including Friday, play 21 of their final 35 games this season at home.
"It would be nice to get off to a good start," Hynes said. "We have a segment in our schedule _ it doesn't necessarily mean it's easier _ we have to make sure we come out with energy and try to use the home ice to our advantage.
"If we come out and play hard and get our fans engaged and get ourselves into the game, as we've seen earlier in the year, when we play like that, it's a great place to play," Hynes added. "But it's our job to create that atmosphere."
The Devils started the season 7-0-2 at the Rock but have now lost their last four in the building and just 2-7-1 at home since Dec. 9.
The Devils took a 1-0 lead at 4:00 of the first period as rookie defenseman Steven Santini scored his second career goal on a wrist shot from the right point through screens set by Taylor Hall and Travis Zajac. The play was reviewed to see if either deflected the puck with a high by the goal was confirmed.
That was the Devils' last shot for the next 12 minutes, 32 seconds and they were outshot, 10-3, in the first period.
Of course, the Devils then went another 16:41 before Beau Bennett took their first shot of the second period at 13:13.
The Canadiens tied it at 1 at 5:14 on Alex Galchenyuk's power-play goal after he was slashed by Miles Wood 28 seconds earlier.
Galchenyuk had a goal and two assists and Alexander Radulov had three assists.
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