The New Jersey Devils (16-4-0) had their 13-game win streak come to an end in a 2-1 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs (11-5-5). It was an eventful contest that included three disallowed goals, a long delay after fans tossed debris onto the ice, and a furious comeback that came up short. Matt Murray was incredible in net for Toronto, stopping 34 of 35 shots in the win.
Game Summary
First Period
The two teams traded chances early on, but the Devils thought they had the opening breakthrough when a Jonas Siegenthaler drive deflected in off Nathan Bastian. However, the goal was waved off for goalie interference. Head coach Lindy Ruff challenged the call, but it was upheld after Bastian’s skate clipped Matt Murray’s skate in the crease. As a result, the Devils went to the penalty kill, but managed to kill off the bench minor, allowing two Toronto shots.
The latter segment of the opening period completely belonged to Toronto, though. After Tomas Tatar deflected a Dawson Mercer shot off the post, the Maple Leafs were the team to open the scoring. Jonas Siegenthaler turned the puck over to a forechecking Mitch Marner who found a wide open John Tavares in the slot. The Leafs’ captain buried the chance, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead with 8:19 to go in the first.
Just over two minutes later, Pontus Holmberg made it 2-0 after a Tatar breakout pass deflected off Alex Kerfoot’s skate. The rookie found the loose puck and beat Vitek Vanecek five-hole for his first NHL goal.
The Devils headed to the locker room down 2-0 with shots 10-5 Toronto. At five-on-five, the Maple Leafs controlled play with an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) of 67.59.
Second Period
The second period opened with a bit of deja vu. This time, Jonas Siegenthaler fired one off the post just over three minutes into the frame. Then, moments later, the Devils put another puck into the net, but it was once again waved off for incidental goalie interference. Matt Murray had gone to play the puck and was clipped by Tomas Tatar. Damon Severson scored before Murray could recover his positioning, and the goal was disallowed.
New Jersey got their first power play of the night at the 6:18 mark of the period, but could not score. However, less than two minutes after the first expired, the Devils went right back to the power play. New Jersey created several good looks, but couldn’t solve Matt Murray despite firing seven shots on net.
In the final minute of the period, the Devils went back to the man advantage, but couldn’t score before intermission. Toronto still held their 2-0 lead. Shots were 16-4 New Jersey in the second, with the Devils dominating at five-on-five with a 67.9 xGF%.
Third Period
The Devils began the final period needing at least a pair of goals, but with 1:26 of carry-over power play time. However, they could not take advantage, mustering just one shot.
With New Jersey once again buzzing, Matt Murray knocked the net off its moorings and the ice needed repair work, leading to a delay.
After more Devils pressure, Dougie Hamilton took an offensive zone high-sticking penalty. On the ensuing kill, Erik Haula had a glorious one-time chance, but Matt Murray made a ridiculous glove save. However, Haula put the rebound in, yet it was once again ruled out. This time the ruling came after a replay review for a kick. After the call was announced, another lengthy delay ensued as Devils fans hurled bottles onto the ice.
The Devils finally found their way on the board with 5:08 to go. Yegor Sharangovich fired one through the slot, picking out a cutting Dougie Hamilton in front to cut the deficit to 2-1. A New Jersey flurry of chances followed, but Matt Murray again stood tall.
Head coach Lindy Ruff used his timeout with 2:14 to go and pulled Vitek Vanecek for the extra attacker. Despite another flurry of chances, the Devils could not solve Matt Murray and fell 2-1, ending the 13-game win streak.
In the third, shots were 14-6 New Jersey, who had a 72.68 xGF% at five-on-five. For the game, shots were 35-20 in favor of New Jersey who finished with a 60.31 xGF% at even strength.
Wrap Up
It was a tough night offensively for the Devils, who couldn’t quite finish a plethora of passes. Hamilton, Sharangovich, and Zetterlund picked up the only points. Vitek Vanecek played well in the loss, stopping 18 of 20 shots and saving 0.58 goals above expected.
For the Leafs, it was the Matt Murray show. The former Penguin and Senator made 34 saves on 35 shots, preventing an outstanding 2.42 goals above expected. Tavares and Holmberg had the goals for Toronto with Kerfoot and Marner picking up assists. Both teams failed to score on the power play, with the Devils going 0-for-3 and the Leafs going 0-for-4.
Game Notes
Line Changes Work Again
Throughout the 13-game win streak, it felt like every time Lindy Ruff made line changes, they had a positive effect. That remained true tonight, despite the loss. New Jersey played one of its worst periods of the season in the first, having just a miserable 32.41% expected goal-share at five-on-five.
However, Ruff shook up the forward lines at the intermission, and the Devils responded brilliantly with a 67.88 xGF% in the second period and a 72.68 xGF% in the third. New Jersey finished the entire contest with a 60.31 xGF% at five-on-five, even after that awful start.
Jesper Bratt
Jesper Bratt had another terrific night for New Jersey. The 23-year-old winger was constantly driving play with a team-best 78.57 CF% and a 81.49 xGF% at five-on-five. Although he did not end up on the scoresheet, Bratt was the most dangerous player on the ice for most of the evening.
With James Nichols of The Fourth Period reporting the Devils and Bratt’s camp have begun negotiations on an extension, the pending RFA continues to dominate on the ice.
“BMW Line” Struggles
It was not such a great night for the New Jersey fourth line. Miles Wood had a team-worst 35.71 CF% at five-on-five. His 25.77 xGF% was the fifth-worst on the team. Meanwhile, Michael McLeod had a measly 12.11 xGF% and Nathan Bastian had a 23.28 xGF%. Those were the second and fourth-worst marks on the team, respectively.
Although head coachLindy Ruff jumbled the lines after the first period, it was a tough night for that trio throughout. While playing together, they had just a 16.11 xGF% at even strength.
What’s Next
The Devils head to Western New York to take on the Sabres on Friday night. MSGSN will air the game with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.