Devils vs. Leafs: Game Preview and Matchup Updates

The New Jersey Devils are gearing up to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third game of a five-game homestand. The puck will drop at 7:08 p.m. ET, and the Devils will be hosting their annual Pride Night celebration. If you can’t make it to the game, you can catch all the action on ESPN+ or Hulu, or tune in to the Devils Hockey Network.

The Devils are currently chasing the top spot in the Metro Division, sitting just two points behind Washington with three more games played. Although they’re coming off a tough 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Devils had a strong 6-2-0 record before that. Forward Jesper Bratt leads the team in scoring, closely followed by Jack Hughes and captain Nico Hischier. On defense, Dougie Hamilton is leading the way. Goalie Jake Allen’s status for the game against Toronto is uncertain, so Jacob Markstrom may get the start.

On the other side, the Toronto Maple Leafs are fighting for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, trailing Florida by just two points and with a game in hand. They’ve hit a bit of a rough patch with losses in their last two games, but were previously on an impressive 10-2-0 streak. Mitch Marner is leading the team in points, with William Nylander as their top goal scorer. Auston Matthews has been a key player despite missing some games.

Both teams have some players dealing with injuries, so lineup changes could be in store. The Devils have been strong when leading after the second period, but they’ll need to tighten up their offense after a recent streak of shutouts. Keep an eye on Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, and Timo Meier, who recently hit career milestones in a win against Seattle.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting game between these two teams, and fans can expect some fierce competition on the ice. Stay tuned for updates after the morning skate for the latest news heading into the matchup.