Newark, N.J.—The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, highlighted by Steven Lorentz’s goal and assist, as well as goalie Dennis Hildeby earning his first NHL win.
In his debut, Hildeby, a fourth-round draft pick in 2022, made 22 saves, showcasing his skills in the crease. Alongside Lorentz, Max Pacioretty, Bobby McMann, and John Tavares each found the back of the net for Toronto.
For the Devils, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier managed to score but ultimately fell short. This game marked the home debut of New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe, who was previously at the helm of the Maple Leafs before his firing in May. He took over from Lindy Ruff, who was dismissed towards the end of last season.
Jacob Markstrom had a challenging night in goal for the Devils, recording 18 saves. New Jersey had begun the season strong, sweeping the Buffalo Sabres in their opening games in Prague, outscoring them 7-2.
The Maple Leafs’ scoring streak came to an end just two nights earlier, as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Montreal, breaking a remarkable 252-game stretch of scoring at least once—a record streak in NHL history.
Key Takeaways:
Toronto’s defense was impressive, limiting quality shots against Hildeby and blocking 27 attempts. Each of the six defensemen contributed to this effort. Conversely, the Devils struggled on the power play, converting only once out of five opportunities.
Turning Point:
Midway through the second period, with the Maple Leafs leading 3-1, the Devils had consecutive power play chances but could not capitalize, registering only five shots on goal during that stretch.
Notable Stats:
The Maple Leafs have now won their last eight road games against the Devils, a streak that dates back to December 18, 2018, marking the longest active road winning streak against any opponent.
Upcoming Games:
The Maple Leafs will kick off a four-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, while the Devils will head to Washington to face the Capitals on the same day.
