Devils Aim for Road Win, Maple Leafs Seek to Break Losing Streak
New Jersey Devils vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Two Eastern Conference contenders, the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, will face off Thursday night in a battle with major playoff implications. Both teams are positioned favorably in their respective divisions but are coming off disappointing losses. New Jersey fell short in a shootout against Florida, while Toronto was handily beaten by Dallas. With playoff positioning at stake, let’s break down the key statistics, players to watch, and what to expect from each team in this exciting matchup.
New Jersey Devils: Aiming for Road Success
The New Jersey Devils have been one of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division this season. Entering the game with a 26-15-5 record, they sit in second place, just six points behind the Washington Capitals. Despite their strong overall performance, New Jersey has struggled recently, posting a 2-4-2 record in their last eight games. They earned a point in their most recent contest, a 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
Offensively, the Devils rank 11th in the NHL with an average of 3.11 goals per game. Nico Hischier has been a standout player, reaching the 20-goal mark this season and leading the charge for New Jersey’s attack. The Devils are also a force defensively, ranking 4th in goals against, allowing only 2.50 goals per contest. Their power play is one of the best in the league, sitting 3rd with a 27.9% conversion rate. Additionally, their penalty kill ranks 7th at 82.7%, making them a tough team to break down in all situations.
In their most recent game against Florida, New Jersey was solid defensively but struggled to generate offense. They were outshot 28-27, with goaltender Jacob Markstrom making 27 saves in the loss. Markstrom is likely to start again in this game, looking to help the Devils bounce back and pick up an important road win.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Looking to Break Losing Streak
The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a tough stretch, having dropped three straight games, including a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. With a 27-16-2 record, the Leafs remain in the hunt for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, holding a one-point lead over the Florida Panthers. However, their recent form has raised concerns, especially as they’ve struggled to generate offense in their last two games.
Toronto’s offense is potent, ranking 12th in the NHL with 3.02 goals per game. Auston Matthews continues to lead the team, with 15 goals on the season, but the team as a whole has been inconsistent recently. Their power play has been underwhelming, ranking 18th in the league at 20.3%, and their defensive play has been shaky at times, ranking 12th in goals against (2.84 per game). Despite these challenges, the Maple Leafs remain strong on the penalty kill, ranking 8th at 82.5%.
Against Dallas, Toronto was outshot 28-23 and could not find the back of the net despite having more shots in each of the final two periods. Joseph Woll, who is expected to start again, made 19 saves in the loss, but the Leafs’ inability to finish on their chances ultimately cost them. They will need to find their offensive rhythm if they hope to get back on track against a well-rounded Devils squad.
Conclusion
While both teams are talented, the New Jersey Devils enter this matchup with a slight edge due to their overall defensive strength and recent form. Toronto’s struggles with consistency, particularly on offense and special teams, could hinder their ability to outscore the Devils. Expect New Jersey to capitalize on their power play opportunities and use their solid defensive structure to neutralize Toronto’s attack.
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