Devils Fall in Overtime to the Maple Leafs, 2-1

Published: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

by Kyle Ferreira

NEWARK, N.J - The New Jersey Devils (18-10-3) fell victim to the Toronto Maple Leafs (17-9-2) in overtime Tuesday Night, 2-1.  

After a rough outing on Sunday vs the Colorado Avalanche, the Devils needed a more complete start vs the Maple Leafs. After facing last season’s Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon Sunday, another former Hart winner visited the Devils, superstar Auston Matthews. Early on, the Devils put on the pressure.  

Through the first eight minutes, the Devils found opportunities in the offensive zone, constantly attacking the Maple Leafs. However, no success was found by the Devils in the first period, even with nine players recording at least one shot for them. Defensively however, the Devils were able to neutralize and contain Matthews and Mitch Marner, who coming in, had 38 points on the season.  

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe felt pleased with his team’s defensive effort.

“We just pressured the puck, we worked. We won puck battles consistently… it was clearly our best first period of the season.”  

Entering the second period, it was non-stop action throughout the frame. Both squads were denied time after time, showcasing the work of Devils’ netminder, Jacob Markstrom and Maple Leafs’ goalie, Anthony Stolarz. Specifically Markstrom, he looked fantastic for a majority of the contest, even stopping a backhand shot from Matthews.  

The second period would finally see a goal scored, when Jesper Bratt dished the puck to Ondrej Palat for his fourth goal this season. The Devils would get on the board to make it 1-0.  

The physical play of Tuesday’s contest was something to note. Towards the end of the second frame, Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler had to skate off the ice due to a puck hitting him high.  

In terms of players, the hits were ferocious from Toronto. Maple Leafs’ Max Pacioretty leveled Jack Hughes which to the dismay of fans and his teams, they were upset. That aggression from Toronto would continue when Matthew Knies was called for boarding against the Devils’ Jonathan Kovacevic in the third period.

Physically, Toronto asserted themselves, but offensively they had to get it started. With 9:18 remaining in the third, Maple Leafs’ Pontus Holmberg scored the shorthanded goal for Toronto, ruining the Devils’ power play. But after 60 action-packed minutes, overtime was needed.  

The stars for both squads came out firing with Jack Hughes and Matthews traded opportunities to convert the game winner. But in the end, arguably one of the premier goal scorers in the league finished it for Toronto. Matthews, coming full speed down the ice, wristed it past Markstrom and gave the Maple Leafs a big 2-1 OT win.  

Even after the loss, Keefe was happy with his team’s effort vs Toronto.

“It was our best game of the season. I’m leaving here today as good as I thought about our team all year.”

Devils will continue their five-game homestand Thursday evening vs the Los Angeles Kings. 

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu. 

 

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