Devils vs. Maple Leafs Preview: Toronto Looks to Reset Against New Jersey

New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
7:00 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena
Watch: NHLN, TSN4, MSGSN

New Jersey arrives with the stronger record and a five-on-five game that has made the Devils one of the toughest matchups on Toronto’s schedule. The Maple Leafs need a clean reset after a 4-2 regulation loss to Montréal on November 7. They’re 8-8-2, with a .500 points percentage; New Jersey is 12-5-0, at .706.

The Devils also played November 7, beating the New York Islanders 5-4 in overtime on the road. That result required extra work, followed by travel to Toronto, but it doesn’t erase the challenge they pose at even strength. For the Leafs, the immediate task is to make their possession count and keep New Jersey from controlling the game for long stretches.

New Jersey’s strengths—and the goaltending question

The Devils have been imposing at five-on-five, close to Carolina’s level of dominance, and their power play has been productive. The available assessment says that power-play output remains below expected, leaving room for the unit to convert more of its chances. Toronto will need discipline and a sharp penalty kill to limit those opportunities.

New Jersey’s penalty kill has been solid, though it has allowed more goals than expected. That could give Toronto an opening if the Leafs move the puck quickly and create traffic around the net. The matchup has a notable contrast: New Jersey’s special teams have been effective, but its team save percentage ranks 22nd in the NHL. A strong opposing attack can test that weakness, provided Toronto gets enough pucks through and follows up for rebounds.

Jake Allen played the previous night, so the expectation is that the Devils turn to their other goaltender. The posted combinations list Connor Hellebuyck as the starter and Allen as the backup. Goaltender usage could matter after an overtime game and a travel day, but Toronto still has to make the most of its chances; a projected change in net won’t do the work for it.

Projected Devils combinations

Amanda Stein’s combinations via Daily Faceoff, taken from the previous night’s game:

Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Luke Evangelista
Arseny Gritsyuk – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Anthony Mantha – Evan Rodrigues – Jesper Boqvist
Amadeus Lombardi – Cody Glass – Connor Brown

Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Declan Chisholm – Johnathan Kovacevic

Connor Hellebuyck – listed starter
Jake Allen

These are the combinations from the Devils’ last game, so they offer a useful look at the group without guaranteeing tonight’s exact deployment. Toronto will need to track New Jersey’s skilled forwards through the neutral zone and avoid giving its top players open ice to build speed.

Toronto adjusts after Rielly’s injury

Anthony Stolarz is set to start for the Leafs. Toronto has also called up defenseman Cole McWard and returned forward Vinni Lettieri to the Marlies. The move follows Morgan Rielly’s injury the previous night and swaps a forward spot for defensive depth. The report came from David Alter:

Dakota Mermis is expected to enter the lineup, though that remained unconfirmed in the preview. The projected forward and defensive groups reflect that expectation, with Stolarz listed ahead of Artur Akhtyamov. Toronto’s final combinations will show how the club handles Rielly’s absence and which players take on the added responsibility.

Projected Maple Leafs combinations

Easton Cowan – Auston Matthews – Jack Roslovic
John Tavares – Nick Paul – William Nylander
Dakota Joshua – Colton Sissons – Gavin McKenna
Brandon Duhaime – Teddy Blueger – Zack MacEwen

Jake McCabe – Darren Raddysh
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Chris Tanev
Dakota Mermis – Troy Stecher

Anthony Stolarz – listed starter
Artur Akhtyamov

The focus for Toronto

The Leafs want more of the five-on-five possession they showed recently, even if it was overshadowed by the sequence of goals and other problems in the previous game. Possession only helps if Toronto turns it into pressure: sustained shifts, shots through traffic and second chances can make New Jersey defend instead of letting its attack dictate the pace.

Both teams are coming off demanding schedules. The Devils went to overtime and then travelled, while Toronto played at home. That makes energy worth monitoring, but the Leafs can’t build their approach around the other club being tired. They’ll need to play the shift in front of them, protect the puck and respond quickly when momentum swings.

Toronto’s remix game and Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony add a special setting to the night. The result will still hinge on familiar details: whether the Leafs can turn possession into scoring chances, how they cover for Rielly’s absence, and whether Stolarz can give them the saves they need against a high-performing Devils team.