Timo Meier faces online backlash after a gutless dive versus the Canadiens

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Daniel Lucente
November 8, 2024 (3:36 PM)

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During last night's game, Canadiens' Cole Caufield delivered a light check on Devils' Timo Meier, but the play was completely exaggerated with a dive.

Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-3. With the victory, the Devils won for the fourth time in five games.

Jesper Bratt scored twice, including the insurance goal with an empty-netter, and added an assist.

Ondrej Palat and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler also scored and the Devils sent Montreal to its fifth straight game without a win (0-4-1). Goalie Jacob Markstrom stopped 21 shots for the Devils.

Alex Newhook scored twice, and Brendan Gallagher added a goal for the Canadiens. Sam Montembeault stopped 22 shots in a tough outing for Montreal.

The Devils came out hot, with Hughes setting up Bratt and Palat to make it 2-0 early in the first. They never looked back from there.

There was also a very odd play that occurred in the game involving Cole Caufield and Timo Meier.

Caufeld went in to deliver a hit but slightly missed, and Meier exaggerated the play with a huge dive, which has now led to a tremendous amount of online backlash.

The Canadiens are a young, energetic team that does create a lot of offense but is still struggling to defend, especially clearing their zone. Montreal's D has allowed 58 goals in 14 games to date.

The Devils' Hughes showed off excellent skating, as quick as he was early last season before his shoulder and knee injuries. His three points equaled his season high.

Leading by a goal, Markstrom made three huge saves to prevent Montreal from tying the score. Moments later, Hughes tallied with Bratt setting it up, and Bratt set up his own second goal.

Bratt's point streak at home is eight games, which ties the fourth-longest in franchise history. The record is 11 games, reached by Kirk Muller (1990) and Pat Verbeek (1987).

The Canadiens visit Toronto on Saturday while the Devils travel to play the New York Islanders.