Entering the midway point of their season, the New Jersey Devils are among the biggest surprises in the NHL under rookie coach John Hynes.
The Montreal Canadiens continue to be underwhelming.
The Devils seek a bounce-back effort as they try to send the foundering Canadiens to a 13th loss in 16 games Wednesday night.
New Jersey (20-15-4) was expected to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season as it rebuilt under Hynes, the youngest coach in the league at 40.
Instead, the Devils hold the first of two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference and are three points back of the New York Rangers for third in the Metropolitan Division.