After back-to-back home wins against last season’s Stanley Cup combatants and four straight wins total, the New Jersey Devils (4-1-0, 8 points, second in Metro Division) head up across the US/Canada border Tuesday for a matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs (3-2-1, 7 points, third in Atlantic Division) for a quick single game pit stop before returning home Wednesday.
All-Star Showdown – Hughes vs. Auston
Tuesday’s game at Scotiabank Arena will mark the first battle this season between All-Star stalwarts Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews. A total of 10 All-Star appearances between the two – Matthews with seven, Jack Hughes with three and younger brother Luke Hughes will be looking for his first come 2027. This duo brings out the best in each other every time they square off and with Luke Hughes now joining the fray, expect the aggression to get amped up and Tuesday’s matchup to be an all-out shootout right to the final horn.
Rebound From Heartbreak
Toronto comes into this game after a brutal overtime loss over the weekend to a surprising Seattle Kraken team with Joshua Mahura scoring the game winner 3:06 into the extra frame. The Leafs will be coming in with a chip on their shoulder after having let that Seattle game get away from them and with the Devils coming in as hot as they are, it will not be an easy task for Matthews, Tavares and the Leafs. The Leafs will have to rely more on the play of depth pieces like William Nylander and Morgan Rielly to have a chance at a rebound game Tuesday night.
North of the Border, Eh?
For the Devils, it’s their first of only eight games across the US/Canada border this season. They’ll next cross the border to face the Senators in Ottawa on December 9 and return to Toronto for a rematch with the Leafs on December 30, so they will need to make these Canadian games count as they may end up facing at least one of these teams once we get to April and the playoffs.
Devils – Hot! Hot! Hot!
Biggest storyline – Devils winners of four straight after dropping their season opener to the Hurricanes. Biggest reason for that success has been the play of captain Nico Hischier, having netted at least 1 point in each of the Devils’ wins so far. Timo Meier has also contributed with a goal in three of the four wins and the penalty kill unit has been stellar to start the season, going 19 for 20 after notching a perfect 3 for 3 down a man against Edmonton. The Devils just need to stay the course and stay disciplined if they want to win their fifth straight. It would be their first five-game win streak in over two years – January 7-16, 2023.
Jake Allen is expected to get the assignment for the Devils Tuesday night in Toronto. Puck drop is set for 7 PM.
