Coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils (26-15-6) fell 4-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime. It was their second overtime loss in their last four games, all of which went to an extra session.
First Period
The Devils got off to a grimy start in their first shift, flailing at the puck as Toronto buzzed in their zone. After escaping that shift, they quickly got their footing and went on the attack. The top line got a golden chance with an offensive zone start but Toronto recovered the puck off the faceoff and looked to clear it. That was until they turned it over to Johnathan Kovacevic at the blue line, who fed Jack Hughes in front of the net for a patient goal on Joseph Woll.
Up by a goal, the Devils were on the defensive for much of the rest of the period. Toronto put the pressure on in the offensive zone but the Devils’ defense was up to the task. They held the Leafs at bay for most of their shifts but struggled to break out of their zone and go on the attack. Their transition game going the other way, however, was impressive, with impressive backchecks from the likes of Jesper Bratt and Curtis Lazar.
Paul Cotter took a tripping call late in the period, sending the Maple Leafs to their first power play. Just a few seconds in, though, Nico Hischier made a great read to intercept the puck as the Leafs cycled, going on a breakaway and forcing Mitch Marner to hold him to prevent a goal. The Devils got some good looks at four-on-four but couldn’t force anything through. The Leafs went back on the attack at even strength, forcing Jacob Markstrom to make some stellar saves to end the frame.
Although they went into the first intermission with a lead, the Maple Leafs outplayed the Devils at five-on-five, with New Jersey notching a 33.33 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 34.01 expected goal percentage (xG%).
Second Period
Toronto came into the second period still holding the momentum, helped by the Devils’ inability to break out in transition. They got rewarded for their hard work six minutes into the period as Max Domi drove down low and found William Nylander trailing the play in the slot, who snapped it past Jacob Markstrom.
The Leafs made a critical error just a minute after Nylander’s goal as Nico Hischier drew another penalty, this time against Oliver Ekman-Larsson on a tripping call. The Devils cycled well to start the power play but couldn’t poke a hole in Toronto’s kill. Forced to re-enter the zone, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt went to work below the goal line, winning a gritty puck battle. Hughes sent the puck along the wall to Hischier, who set himself and picked the corner on Woll’s glove side to regain the lead for New Jersey.
Toronto fought back hard after Hischier’s goal, buzzing dangerously in the Devils’ zone once more. They very nearly scored when Luke Hughes sent the puck into the slot by accident after losing an edge but Brett Pesce made a gorgeous diving play to poke it out of harm’s way. That and a few more pretty saves from Markstrom kept the Devils in front going into the second intermission.
The Devils were outplayed again in the second period but did just enough to escape with the lead. Still, they managed just a 32.26 CF% and a 24.55 xG%
Third Period
The Devils got a much better start to the third period with a few strong shifts in the offensive zone. They needed to get an insurance goal out of this stretch but they couldn’t capitalize. Toronto got a break on an unfortunate Jonas Siegenthaler tripping call that wasn’t really his fault. Auston Matthews capitalized on the opportunity, corralling a puck in the goal mouth and tapping it in to tie the game at 2-2.
But the Devils weren’t done on offense. The Devils got another power play chance on Ekman-Larsson’s second penalty of the night, this time for holding. Nico Hischier came up clutch again on the man advantage, reading the rebound off Timo Meier’s shot and snapping it past Woll to put the Devils up 3-2.
Toronto came back with a vengeance after Hischier’s second goal, trapping the Devils in their zone for shift after shift. Late in the period, Auston Matthews struck again, driving into the near circle and sniping a wicked shot between Markstrom’s pad and the post. That goal would send the Devils to overtime for the fourth straight game.
Despite a strong start to the period, the Leafs’ strong resurgence kept them in the game. New Jersey notched a paltry 29.27 CF% and a 46.41 xG% at five-on-five
Overtime
Nico Hischier won the crucial opening faceoff in overtime, giving the Devils possession to start the extra frame. They took their time at first before launching into a flurry of shots, one of which hit the post. Toronto regained possession after the onslaught and made it count.
Luke Hughes missed his assignment on William Nylander, who broke free to receive a long pass from Jake McCabe and score the game-winner. A tough way to end a tough game.
Results
Losing your fourth overtime game in a row is frustrating. Credit where credit is due, Toronto is a tough team and they were desperate for a win to break a three-game losing streak. The Devils are riding a five-game point streak, on the bright side.
The Devils now own a record of 26-15-6 and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 58 points. The Maple Leafs are 28-16-2 and sit first in the Atlantic.
Game Notes
- Nico Hischier made a big impact Friday night, scoring two power-play goals. He also drew two penalties and made some nice defensive plays. Count on the captain to show up every single game.
- Jacob Markstrom kept the Devils in the game behind an overall solid defense. Though he earned an unimpressive .902 SV% and didn’t make any jaw-dropping saves, he faced a high volume of shots, stopping 37 of 41.
- Auston Matthews continued his slaughter of the Devils with two goals in the third period. He now has a staggering 21 goals and 31 points in 21 career games against New Jersey.
Up Next
The Devils will open their season series with the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday at 12:30 pm.