devils leafs preview

NEW JERSEY DEVILS (26-15-5) vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (27-16-2)

New Jersey faces the Maple Leafs in the first game for head coach Sheldon Keefe back in Toronto. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.

You can watch on MSGSN2 or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

Read below for your game preview and pre-game story below. Tonight's game is presented by Mikula Contracting.

WATCH & LISTEN

TV: UPDATE NETWORK 

RADIO: Devils Hockey Network 

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      Keefe returns to Toronto tonight with two points for his hockey club in mind.

      GAME-DAY VIDEO
      Devils Minute: A Homecoming
      Pre-Game Interview with Sheldon Keefe

      MORNING SKATE RECAP

      TORONTO, Ont. – The Devils held an optional morning skate at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto before facing the Maple Leafs.

      Forward Brian Halonen was recalled from the American Hockey League in the morning and he joined the crew on the ice, along with forwards Jesper Bratt, Paul Cotter, Justin Dowling, Nathan Bastian and Kurtis MacDermid and goaltender Jake Allen.

      Game-Time Decisions

      The Devils are currently dealing with a bug going around the room. Forward Stefan Noesen will miss his second straight game with an illness. A few other players are also dealing with the issue.

      Due to that, the Devils’ lineup will feature some game-time decisions.

      “We’ve got some illness stuff going on,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “These sorts of things are touch and go, making sure everybody is alright. It won’t look wildly different than we did the other night. But we’ll have to see. Halonen has come up and gives us an additional option. We’ll see where we’re at tonight.”

      Happy Returns

      Keefe is coaching in Toronto for the first time since being relieved of his duties at the end of last season. He had coached the Leafs from 2019-24.

      “It’s great to see some of the familiar faces and say hi to everyone,” Keefe said. “I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. Ultimately, it is just a hockey game. The players will determine the outcome on the ice on both sides. I’ll enjoy it for what it is and then move along.”

      View from the Other Side

      The Leafs announced this morning that forward John Tavares, who was injured in Wednesday’s practice, is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury and has been placed on Injured Reserve.

      “It’s always tough when you lose a guy like John or anyone on our team at this point,” forward Max Domi said. “It’s got to be a next man up mentality. We have a lot of guys here that are champing at the bit and real hungry for the opportunity.”

      For some good news, defenseman Jake McCabe will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury.

      McCabe spoke of the challenge when facing the Devils.

      “They have good speed. Hughes and Bratt standout as threats off the rush,” he said. “They move laterally so we have to make sure we have good gaps on them, make sure we’re defending as a five-man unit, taking away time and space. Getting above to deny odd-man rushes and chances off the rush. That’s a good team over there. We snuck a win against them last time so I’m sure they’re going to be coming out hungry.”

      THE SCOOP

      The Devils stumbled during a six-game road trip that saw the club go 1-4-1. The team responded by going 1-0-1 in a pair of home games before hitting the road to Toronto.

      Jack Hughes leads the Devils in scoring with 52 points. He has points in four of his last five games for six total (2g-4a). Jesper Bratt broke a nine-game goalless streak at the Rangers. Despite the goal drought, Bratt still has produced and hasn’t gone more than two straight games without a point. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom ranks 3rd in the NHL in both goals-against average (2.15) and has been the backbone of the team's success this year.

      The Devils will be without forward Stefan Noesen for the second straight game as he battles an illness.

      The Leafs are being led by new head coach Craig Berube. He has Toronto currently sitting atop the Atlantic Division, but holding only a one-point lead on second-place Florida. The Maple Leafs came out of the holiday break on fire with a 6-1-0 record. But they’ve stumbled of late, losing three straight before facing the Devils.

      The Leafs are led by Mitch Marner, whose 60 points (14g-46a) rank 5th in the NHL. Generational star Auston Matthews has missed 15 games due to injuries but still has 32 points (15g-17a) in 30 games. Matthews scored 69 goals last season to top the NHL. The real strength of the Leafs this year has been the play of their goaltenders, Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz. The tandem has solidified the crease, though Stolarz is currently hurt.

      Veteran John Tavares has 20 goals and 42 points on the year, but appeared to suffer an injury at Wednesday’s practice and his availability is unknow. He is being “further evaluated” according to Berube.

      WHO’S HOT

      Devils: Devils captain Nico Hischier reached the 20-goal mark for the 5th time in his career.

      Maple Leafs: Matthews recently had an eight-game scoring streak snapped. But he still has points in nine of his last 10 games for 13 points (6-7a).

      INJURIES

      Devils: Noesen (illness), Haula (ankle, day-to-day), Hatakka (shoulder, IR)

      Maple Leafs: Hakanpaa (lower-body, IR), Jarnkrok (lower-body, LTIR), McCabe (upper-body), Stolarz (lower-body)

      REGULAR-SEASON RESULTS

      STATS LEADERS

      STATS LEADERS
      DEVILS
      MAPLE LEAFS
      Goals
      Hischier, 20
      Nylander, 24
      Assists
      Bratt, 36
      Marner, 46
      Points
      Hughes, 52
      Marner, 60

      GAME NOTES

      • Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe will face his former club in Toronto for the first time. Keefe spent his previous nine years in Toronto coaching the Maple Leafs (2019-24) and American Hockey League affiliate Marlies (2015-19). Keefe went 212-97-40 with the Leafs in 349 games. He coached 320 contests with the Marlies, winning the Calder Cup title in 2018 while going 200-89-22-9 overall.
      • The Devils and Maple Leafs meet for the third and final time this season. It's also the first and only game played in Toronto.
      • The Devils have lost the opening two games against the Leafs this year. Jesper Bratt leads New Jersey with two points (1g-1a). Goalie Jacob Markstrom has played both games in net.