The Canadiens began the second half of the season on a positive note, returning to home ice with a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Although it wasn’t pretty, the win is an important one because it allows the Habs to regain second place in the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings.
 
Special teams played a key role in this first win for the Canadiens at the Bell Centre since the December 12 matchup against the Ottawa Senators.

Max Pacioretty netted the first goal in the power play with exactly one minute left to play in the first period. This marks the captain’s 17th goal of the season, and gave him a point for the fifth consecutive game.

Then late in the second period, Paul Byron assisted in a short-handed goal for Torrey Mitchell, who made it 2-0 after Byron managed to fake out defenceman Damon Severson to get it past goalie of Cory Schneider and into the Devils’ net.

Mitchell scored with 1:33 left in the second period, as the Habs held on for a 2-1 win.

It was Mitchell’s first goal since Oct. 29 in Edmonton and his first point since Nov. 11 in Pittsburgh.
 
The Devils’ Adam Henrique scored on Canadiens goalie Mike Condon 50 seconds into the third period.

With files from La Presse Canadienne