Date: January 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

 

Recent Performance

The New Jersey Devils (26-18-2) are set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-16-2) in their lone visit to Toronto this season. The Devils recently concluded a 6 game road trip with a 1-4-1 record and have yet to rebound, losing in a shootout most recently to the Florida Panthers on home ice. Jack Hughes leads the team with 52 points, while captain Nico Hischier has reached the 20-goal mark for the fifth time in his career with the lone goal in that Panthers game.

The Maple Leafs, under new head coach Craig Berube, are currently atop the Atlantic Division but have experienced a slight downturn, losing their last three games. Mitch Marner spearheads Toronto’s offense with 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists), ranking fifth in the NHL. Auston Matthews, despite missing 15 games due to injuries, has contributed 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 30 games.

 

Team Records and Trends

New Jersey Devils:

• Overall Record: 26-18-2
• Road Record: 13-9-1
• Goals Per Game: 3.11
• Goals Against Per Game: 2.5
• Power Play Percentage: 27.9%
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.7%

Toronto Maple Leafs:

• Overall Record: 27-16-2
• Home Record: 17-9-0
• Goals Per Game: 3.02
• Goals Against Per Game: 2.84
• Power Play Percentage: 20.3%
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.5%

 

Key Players to Watch

New Jersey Devils:

• Jack Hughes: Leading the Devils with 52 points, Hughes has been instrumental in driving the team’s offense.
• Nico Hischier: The captain has consistently found the back of the net, reaching the 20-goal milestone once again.

Toronto Maple Leafs:

• Mitch Marner: With 60 points, Marner’s playmaking abilities make him a constant threat on the ice, he is 2nd behind MacKinnon in assists this year.
• Auston Matthews: Despite limited games, Matthews’ scoring prowess remains evident, making him a player to watch in tonight’s game.

 

Goaltending

New Jersey Devils:

• Jacob Markstrom: Expected to start tonight, Markstrom has been solid for the Devils this season, posting a 21-8-3 record with a 2.15 GAA and a .913 save percentage. His strong positioning and ability to handle high-danger chances will be key against Toronto’s potent offense.

Toronto Maple Leafs:

• Joseph Woll: Confirmed to start in net, Woll has been a bright spot for the Leafs this season, with a 14-8-1 record, a 2.65 GAA, and a .908 save percentage. His calm demeanor and consistency have made him a reliable option tonight in net.

 

Injury Report

New Jersey Devils:

• Stefan Noesen (illness) – Out
• Erik Haula (ankle) – Out
• Santeri Hatakka (shoulder) – Injured Reserve

Toronto Maple Leafs:

• John Tavares (lower-body) – Placed on Injured Reserve; considered week-to-week after sustaining an injury during practice.
• Anthony Stolarz (knee) – Out 4-6 weeks following knee surgery (Dec 17th).
• Jani Hakanpää (lower-body) – Long-Term Injured Reserve
• Calle Järnkrok (lower-body) – Long-Term Injured Reserve

 

Game Outlook

This matchup marks the first return of Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe to Toronto since his tenure with the Maple Leafs. The Devils aim to capitalize on the Maple Leafs recent struggles and the absence of key players like John Tavares. Toronto will look to leverage their home-ice advantage and depth to counteract these challenges. Special teams performance could be a deciding factor, with both teams boasting strong power play units.

 

Get exclusive plays via my discord join today: https://discord.gg/nYuBqc26dh

-BetOnBanana