Sports
Devils Aim for Fifth Straight Win Against Maple Leafs

TORONTO, Ont. – The New Jersey Devils will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night, aiming for their fifth consecutive victory. The match comes after the Devils won four straight games for the first time in over 1,000 days, following a season-opening loss in Carolina.
Before the game, the Devils had an optional morning skate with key players including Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, and Jesper Bratt. Jake Allen is slated to be the starting goalie against the Maple Leafs.
This will mark the second time Coach Sheldon Keefe leads the Devils against his former team since taking over in New Jersey. Keefe notes he feels more comfortable this time around and recognizes the talent on the Maple Leafs roster even in the absence of star player Mitch Marner.
<p“They have so many great threats with Auston (Matthews) and William (Nylander) controlling so much out there,” Keefe said. “Our focus has to be on executing our game.”
The Devils have shown a strong penalty kill this season, an essential factor in their recent success. Keefe believes that managing their games has improved and will help against a formidable opponent like Toronto. “We’ve found different ways to win games,” he added.
Simon Nemec has emerged as a reliable defenseman for the Devils, averaging 15:43 ice time through five games. Nemec credits improved skating for his performance. “I feel quicker, closing guys in the D-Zone faster,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress.”
Jesper Bratt leads the Devils with seven points, including three goals and four assists, while Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Dawson Mercer, and Connor Brown all have three goals apiece. The team is currently 4-1-0, while the Maple Leafs hold a record of 3-2-1 after dropping their last game against the Seattle Kraken in overtime.
Meanwhile, Toronto’s William Nylander has started the season strong with nine assists and eleven points. Auston Matthews is also performing well with four goals in the opening six games.
With back-to-back matchups looming, the Devils hope to build momentum against the Maple Leafs before returning home to face the Minnesota Wild. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET.