Maple Leafs provide little in shutout loss to red-hot Devils

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When Keith Tkachuk was booed throughout Hockey Corridor of Fame introductions on Sunday evening, little did we all know that will be concerning the extent of the emotion at Scotiabank Area.

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The Maple Leafs couldn’t have had a lot much less gumption within the annual corridor recreation, shedding 4-0 to a New Jersey Devils membership that has gained 11 of its final 13 video games.

No related success could be tied to the Leafs. They’re going nowhere quick on this six-game homestand, having misplaced the primary three video games in regulation with the Colorado Avalanche subsequent on the docket on Tuesday. The Leafs have misplaced 5 of their final six video games.

Toronto’s file identical as 2025-26

Clad of their cream Hometown Remix sweaters for the primary time, the Leafs didn’t have the power to place constant warmth on Devils goalie Connor Hellebuyck, winner of all 5 of his begins since he was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets.

Hellebuyck made 23 saves as Toronto was shut out for the primary time since April 8 towards the Washington Capitals.

Right here’s a sobering reality to think about: The Leafs are 8-9-2, the identical file that they had via 19 video games a yr in the past. They went on to complete final within the Atlantic Division and 21 factors out of the second wild card spot, costing Brad Treliving and Craig Berube their jobs.

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Already with out veteran defencemen Chris Tanev (load administration) and Morgan Rielly (decrease physique) in addition to injured winger Kirill Marchenko, the Leafs didn’t have winger Jack Roslovic.

Leafs coach Jim Hiller hinted throughout his afternoon availability that there is likely to be a game-time determination on a ahead. Certain sufficient, Roslovic was scratched after participating within the warmup. He’s listed as everyday with a lower-body damage. Vinni Lettieri was inserted into the lineup.

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What did Hiller do with the Leafs’ traces?

What adopted was not one in all Hiller’s most interesting moments and by that we imply his recreation administration as an entire.

There have been a number of modifications to his traces as the sport progressed, essentially the most weird giving fourth-liner Zack MacEwen a longer-than-necessary look with captain Auston Matthews. For sure, an abundance of scoring possibilities didn’t consequence.

Colton Sissons, who began on the Matthews line in Roslovic’s spot, departed the sport late within the second interval after struggling a lower-body damage. He didn’t return.

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Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz did what he may to maintain his teammates in it, stretching throughout the crease to disclaim a streaking Jesper Bratt earlier than snaring a Luke Evangelista shot from the slot.

These two huge saves got here within the second interval earlier than Timo Meier scored at 8:28 on a cross from Declan Chisholm. The Devils made a bang-bang play after John Tavares misplaced a defensive-zone faceoff towards New Jersey captain Nico Hischier.

Tavares had a very good view of the second Meier purpose as he didn’t do a lot to impede the Devils ahead because the latter re-directed a Jack Hughes shot previous Stolarz at 12:44.

Hischier scored on an influence play within the third interval and Connor Brown later scored into an empty Leafs internet.

For the primary time in 2026-27, the Leafs didn’t have one energy play.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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