Toronto Maple Leafs (16-9-2) vs. New Jersey Devils (18-10-2)
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Prudential Center
TV: TSN4 Radio: The Fan 590
Odds: Maple Leafs +116, Devils -143
The buzz
You would expect that both teams will be a little edgy considering their most recent results. After losing to Washington and Pittsburgh, the Leafswill look to avoid losing three in a row in regulation for the first time in 2024-25, while the Devils are coming off a 4-0 loss at home against Colorado. It marked the fifth time New Jersey has been shut out this season … The Leafs were fifth in the NHL and the Devils sixth in fewest goals-against before games on Monday … “Speed, I think, and skill,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said of the challenges presented by the Devils. “They play a fast game, are a good transition team. We’re going to have to be on our toes, we’re going to have to have good gaps and good stick and good reloads and play a tight-checking game against them and limit them as much as we can. And stay out of the penalty box. They’re the No. 1 PP (32.6%) in the league.” … If the Leafs take a 1-0 lead, a win could be banked. They’re 11-1-1 when scoring first. The Devils are 9-3-1 when opening the scoring … Leafs captain Auston Matthews has 18 goals in 19 career games against New Jersey … Hands up all one of you who had Devils forward Jesper Bratt in the NHL’s top 10 in scoring in the second week of December. Bratt was 10th with 37 points prior to games on Monday. The Leafs’ Mitch Marner was in sixth with 38 points. Bratt finished 24th in scoring last year, Marner 22nd.
The news
Jacob Markstrom, carrying a nifty 8-2-0 record in his past 10 starts, gets the call in net for New Jersey. In 16 career games against the Leafs, including a loss on Oct. 10, Markstrom is 5-9-1 with a .900 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average … Whether forward Max Domi (lower body) or defenceman Jake McCabe (head) returns to the Leafs lineup will be decided on Tuesday.
The quote
“Execution is probably a big piece for us right now. I thought the way we played from Washington at home to Pittsburgh, the level was much better. Just execution. Too many penalties again. Those are two keys. It’s tough offensively when you are constantly killing.”
— Matthews on trying to get around the team’s scoring woes at five-on-five
The poll
If Leafs general manager Brad Treliving makes a trade to create roster space provided all forwards are healthy, who should he send packing?
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Max Pacioretty-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-William Nylander
Pontus Holmberg-Fraser Minten-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Connor Dewar-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson—Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goal
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
The injuries
NJ: F Curtis Lazar (knee), F Nathan Bastian (jaw), D Santeri Hatakka (shoulder), G Jake Allen (undisclosed).
TOR: F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Dakota Mermis (jaw), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), C David Kampf (lower body), LW Bobby McMann (lower body), C Max Domi (lower body), D Jake McCabe (head).
The prediction
The Devils provide former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe with some revenge after Toronto won in New Jersey two months ago. 4-2 Devils.
X: @koshtorontosun