GAMEDAY: Devils eye revenge after losing to Leafs in October

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Toronto Maple Leafs (16-9-2) vs. New Jersey Devils (18-10-2)

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When: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Prudential Center

TV: TSN4 Radio: The Fan 590

Odds: Maple Leafs +116, Devils -143

The buzz

You would expect that both teams will be a little edgy considering their most recent results. After losing to Washington and Pittsburgh, the Leafs will look to avoid losing three in a row in regulation for the first time in 2024-25, while the Devils are coming off a 4-0 loss at home against Colorado. It marked the fifth time New Jersey has been shut out this season … The Leafs were fifth in the NHL and the Devils sixth in fewest goals-against before games on Monday … “Speed, I think, and skill,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said of the challenges presented by the Devils. “They play a fast game, are a good transition team. We’re going to have to be on our toes, we’re going to have to have good gaps and good stick and good reloads and play a tight-checking game against them and limit them as much as we can. And stay out of the penalty box. They’re the No. 1 PP (32.6%) in the league.” … If the Leafs take a 1-0 lead, a win could be banked. They’re 11-1-1 when scoring first. The Devils are 9-3-1 when opening the scoring … Leafs captain Auston Matthews has 18 goals in 19 career games against New Jersey … Hands up all one of you who had Devils forward Jesper Bratt in the NHL’s top 10 in scoring in the second week of December. Bratt is in 10th with 37 points. The Leafs’ Mitch Marner is in sixth with 38 points. Bratt finished 24th in scoring last year, Marner 22nd.

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The news

Following the morning skate, Berube said the status of forward Max Domi would be a game-time decision. Midway through the afternoon, though, Domi was activated from injured reserve, an indication that he would be in lineup. The Leafs sent Nikita Grebenkin to the Toronto Marlies … Jacob Markstrom, carrying a nifty 8-2-0 record in his past 10 starts, gets the call in net for New Jersey. In 16 career games against the Leafs, including a loss on Oct. 10, Markstrom is 5-9-1 with a .900 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average … Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe will miss his fifth game in row after he took a shot off the head on Nov. 30 against Tampa Bay. Berube said McCabe remains day to day … Anthony Stolarz will start in goal for Toronto. He has a 1-1-1 career record versus the Devils with a .926 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average.

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The quote

“Execution is probably a big piece for us right now. I thought the way we played from Washington at home to Pittsburgh, the level was much better. Just execution. Too many penalties again. Those are two keys. It’s tough offensively when you are constantly killing.”

— Matthews on trying to get around the team’s scoring woes at five-on-five

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The projected Leafs lineup

Forwards

Max Pacioretty-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner

Matthew Knies-John Tavares-William Nylander

Pontus Holmberg-Fraser Minten-Nick Robertson

Steven Lorentz-Connor Dewar-Ryan Reaves

Defence

Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers

Oliver Ekman-Larsson—Chris Tanev

Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins

Goal

Anthony Stolarz

Joseph Woll

The injuries

NJ: F Curtis Lazar (knee), D Santeri Hatakka (shoulder), G Jake Allen (undisclosed).

TOR: F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Dakota Mermis (jaw), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), C David Kampf (lower body), LW Bobby McMann (lower body), C Max Domi (lower body), D Jake McCabe (head).

The prediction

The Devils provide former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe with some revenge after Toronto won in New Jersey two months ago. 4-2 Devils.

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X: @koshtorontosun

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