The New Jersey Devils were one of the last NHL teams any pre-season pundit would have predicted to a) lead their division (13-3) after 16 games, b) create a 10 game winning streak and c) have their 2 most recent first round draft picks come out their shell this early. Nico Hischiser was the number one overall pick back in 2017 and Jack Hughes was number one in 2019. Nico is now 23 and has had 17 points in 15 games, while Jack came in as an 18 year old and has matured to contribute 18 points. Add 24 year old Jesper Bratt to the mix with a team leading 24 points and you’ve got a huge upside in the Badlands.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted these young Turks tonight at Scotiabank Arena looking for their 3rd win in a row and to maybe take these Devils down a notch or two. Matt Murray got his second start in a row after his 35 save in Pittsburgh, despite chatter of “load management”. Toronto is 5-1-1- in November after a lukewarm start the season.
The New Jersey Devils are no fluke, no flash in the pan. Strong, fast, tough and bruising. The Leafs had their hands full but were no slouches themselves. Goalies at both ends (11-9 SOG Jersey) stood tall to all comers. You could see the elite talent from NJD’s first team PP. However, it was actually the Leafs PP that got things started as Austin Mathews opened the scoring with his 8th from Michael Bunting and Mitchell Marner (his 11th point in 11 games). Just 15 seconds later Jesper Bratt flipped one upstairs to tie things up at the buzzer.
The Devils came out smokin’ to start the second, with a large edge in shots, territorial play and hustle. This paid off when Nico Hischiser scored a beauty, hi glove off a Jordie Benn miscue. Jersy continued their dominant play until around the 9 minute mark when the Leafs finally woke up to turn the tide. Back and forth the 2 contenders went. Power plays for each team settled nothing. 2-1 Devils after two.
This was a match made for the playoffs. Toronto had 2 power play opportunities to tie things up – nada. They played OK, no standouts (other than their goalie) and really no finger pointing was necessary. And yet on a nothing play with just over 2 minutes remaining Nylander puts in a flutter ball from Matthews and Reilly to tie it up and send it overtime. During extra time the Devils held complete control when they got the winner to extend their win streak to 11.HOPPER NOTES: Comically, the hometown Jersey crowd was chanting “Fire Lindy” after a slow start. After about 5 games in to their current win streak, that same crowd was chanting, “Sorry Lindy”…I haven’t had many comments on Justin Holl lately – probably a good thing….kinda “crushin” on Matt Murray right now – another standout/stand-up performance…a little worried about Sandin though with his recent puck handling mishaps…I’m going to miss Teoscar….hey, why not put Nicky Bobby and Simmons on that fourth line with Kampf for a few games – scoring and toughness…the Devils are this good WITHOUT their star free agent signing Ondre Palette…guys I’d like to have: Dougie Hamilton…are you telling me that Mo Reilly hasn’t had one goal this season ?!? …SO many teams that are better than the Leafs right now: Carolina, Boston, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Vegas, (incl New Jersey ?)….what’s a Dubas to do ? Cheers
I had to leave the game half way through so I appreciate your report even more than usual. All well said. I still think the Holl experiment over even if management doesn’t want to admit it. Sandin vacillates between brilliant and brain dead. Where is TJ Brodie?
Kinda have a love/hate thing with Rasmus at this point – SUCH POTENTIAL !!!