The Maple Leafs lost 4-0 to the Devils on Sunday night, leaving captain Auston Matthews without a point for the first time in seven games, NHL.com reported.
Timo Meier scored twice and Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for his first shutout with New Jersey as the Devils blanked Toronto 4-0 in the Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Scotiabank Arena on November 8, Sportsnet.ca reported.
Meier and Hischier Drive Devils Offense as Hischier Reaches 500 Points
Meier opened the scoring and added another goal, while Nico Hischier extended the lead to 3-0 on a power play in the third period, banging in a rebound off Jack Hughes, NHL.com reported. Connor Brown added an empty-net goal at 17:23 with Anthony Stolarz pulled for an extra attacker, making it 4-0.
Hischier’s assist on Meier’s first goal gave him 500 career NHL points, making him the third Switzerland-born player to reach the milestone, after Roman Josi (799) and Kevin Fiala (528), NHL.com reported.
“It makes me a little proud, for sure,” Hischier said. "But ultimately, it's about trying to win something here." Yeah, I suppose these are memories I’ll keep forever, but I want to create better ones by winning something for the team.”
Matthews Pointless, Maple Leafs Shorthanded
Matthews was held without a point for the first time in seven games, NHL.com reported. “It’s kind of the same story,” Matthews said. “I thought we had a good first period. It’s just been tough for us to string together momentum and consistency through 60 minutes of play, and that’s really just been our Achilles’ heel all season long.”
BROWNIE HITS THE EMPTY NET!!!#NJDevils | US 4, THEM 0 pic.twitter.com/6WAMCJ1Rx8
Toronto played without defensemen Morgan Rielly (lower body) and Chris Tanev (maintenance), while forward Jack Roslovic (lower body) was a late scratch and forward Colton Sissons (lower body) left late in the second period, NHL.com reported.
“We have a lot of guys that are out right now, which is tough,” Matthews said. “But it’s that next-man-up mentality. Everybody’s just got to ask a little bit more of themselves and go from there and just be better.”
Hiller Blames Back-to-Back Fatigue
Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller said the team ran out of energy on the second night of a back-to-back after losing 4-2 to Montreal on November 7, according to Maple Leaf Hot Stove. “I thought we actually played pretty well yesterday, and I think we emptied the tank yesterday,” Hiller said. “We didn’t have it. That’s the bottom line. Just didn’t have it.”
The 2026 @HockeyHallFame inductees dropped the ceremonial puck at tonight's game between the @NJDevils and @MapleLeafs! 👏 pic.twitter.com/pFQOZ04vWl
Hiller said he agreed the team fell back after New Jersey’s opening goal. “I thought tonight it was really important that we scored first because we were hanging,” he said. “When they got it, I completely agree that we fell back.”
Devils’ Hot Streak Continues
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0. Jack Hughes has 11 points in his past five games, NHL.com reported. Jesper Bratt has seven points in his past five.
The matchup was also designated the Hockey Hall of Fame Game, during which Patrice Bergeron, Brian Burke, Cindy Curley, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne and Keith Tkachuk received their jackets in a pregame ceremony, and Bergeron dropped the first puck, NHL.com reported. The Class of 2026 will be inducted Monday.
Injury Questions Remain Open
Maple Leaf Hot Stove reported that Hiller said of Sissons, “When a guy doesn’t finish the game, you tend to be a little more concerned,” and regarding Roslovic, who wanted to play despite his injury: “He said, ‘I’ll be alright, and I think I can do it.’ But he just was unable.”
The @MapleLeafs are rocking their Hometown Remix Jerseys for the first time! 🍁 pic.twitter.com/EtYpNfptq7
Devils Defeat Maple Leafs 4-0 as Hischier Reaches Milestone
Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller said the team ran out of steam on the second night of a back-to-back after the 4-0 loss to New Jersey.
The Devils scored three goals in the third period, including a power-play goal by Nico Hischier and an empty-net goal by Connor Brown at 17:23, while Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for the shutout, Sportsnet.ca and NHL.com reported. Toronto managed a “good first period” before fading, according to captain Auston Matthews.
Hischier recorded his 500th career NHL point with an assist on Timo Meier’s first goal, becoming the third Switzerland-born player to reach 500 points, after Roman Josi and Kevin Fiala, NHL.com reported. He said the milestone made him “a little proud” but he wants to win something with the team.
Sheldon Keefe speaks to the media following tonight’s shutout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. pic.twitter.com/hQ4ulIcO2K
Defensemen Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev, along with forwards Jack Roslovic and Colton Sissons, were all unavailable due to lower body injuries or maintenance, NHL.com reported. Coach Jim Hiller said the team lacked energy on the second night of a back-to-back, Maple Leaf Hot Stove reported.
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