NEW JERSEY DEVILS (2-0-0) VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (0-1-0)

The Devils hold their home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe will be facing his former team for the first time.

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MORNING SKATE RECAP

NEWARK, NJ - The Devils held an optional morning skate ahead of hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs in their home opener at Prudential Center.

Seventeen players took part, including Jack Hughes, Ondrej Palat, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt.

Frienemies

One person not on the ice was head coach Sheldon Keefe, who will be facing his former club for the first time. Keefe spent five seasons behind the bench with the Leafs (and four-plus years with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League).

It will no doubt be an interesting feeling being on the opposing bench come puck drop.

“I don’t know what to make of it,” Keefe said. “I’ve never been in this situation before. We’ll see when we get out there and the game gets going.

“What does it mean to me? Not a lot quite honestly. I have nothing but love from the people on the other side, tremendous respect from the organization that treated me so well and the players that gave me so much. To that end it’ll be strange being on the other side, but for us it’s our home opener. It’s my first time in front of the Devils fans. I’m focused on that.”

The Devils players are well aware of their coach’s situation. And they intend to make it a nice night for him.

“He’s been on the other side for a while. He’s with us now,” captain Nico Hischier said. “In the room there’s extra motivation.”

“It’s a game that all of us want to win,” forward Jesper Bratt said. “Sheldon has been really good to us so far. We’re excited for him. We know it’s an emotional game for him obviously. We want to help him get that win.”

Home Cooking

Even though the Devils have technically had a home game (one of their scheduled games in Prague was considered home), the real home opener is tonight. And the Devils are happy to be back in the friendly confines of Prudential Center.

“We’re finally back home playing our opening night in our own arena in front of our own fans,” Bratt said. “I’m excited for tonight.”

“My first preseason game here, for a preseason game it was loud,” Keefe said. “I’m excited here for tonight to get a taste of it on this side.”

He Said It:

Keefe on the key to defending Auston Matthews: “Keep the puck away from him, make him defend. Minimize your mistakes and get some love from the crossbar.”

THE SCOOP

The Devils return home following a trip abroad to Prague, Czechia to open the season against the Buffalo Sabres in the Global Series. New Jersey opened the season with a sweep of the two games following a 4-1 win Friday and 3-1 victory Saturday.

The Devils' newcomers factored in heavily in the opening two victories. The team was led by Paul Cotter (2g-1a), Stefan Noesen (1g-1a), Johnathan Kovacevic (1g-1a), Seamus Casey (1g) and Jacob Markstrom (30 saves). Newcomer Sheldon Keefe started his tenure as head coach with two victories. Keefe, who coached the Leafs the past five seasons, faces his former squad, Toronto, for the first time.

The Maple Leafs are facing the Devils for the second half of back-to-back games to open the season. Toronto opened the season Wednesday night in Montrael with a 1-0 loss against the Canadiens. Despite Toronto putting 46 shots on the net, Habs goalie Sam Montembeault recorded a shutout. The setback marked the beginning of new head coach Craig Berube's tenure on the bench.

WHO’S HOT

Devils: New Devils forward Paul Cotter has two goals and three points in the opening two games of the season.

Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner each recorded six shots against Montreal.

INJURIES

Devils: L.Hughes (shoulder), Pesce (ankle), Hatakka (upper-body), Vilen (upper-body), Beckman (lower-body)

Maple Leafs: Dewar (upper-body), Minten (lower-body), Jarnkrok (lower-body), Hakanpaa (lower-body), Mermis (upper-body)

REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

• Oct. 10 vs. Toronto
• Dec. 10 vs. Toronto
• Jan. 16 at Toronto

GAME NOTES

• Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe is facing his former team for the first team. Keefe began his NHL coaching career in Toronto after taking over the club in the middle of the 2019-20 season. Keefe led the Leafs to the playoffs in all five of his seasons behind the bench.
• Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt led the Devils with two goals and four assists (six points) against Toronto last season. Timo Meier led New Jersey with three goals in the season series.
• New Jersey was 33 for 51 (62%) in faceoffs against Buffalo in the opening two games.
• The Devils enter the game having a streak of scoring at least one goal in 84 straight games at Prudential Center.
• Auston Matthews was named the 26th captain in Leafs' history on Aug. 14.
• Matthews won the Rocket Richard Trophy last season after scoring 69 goals. He also finished the season with 107 points.