Devils’ Flame Goes Out Amid A Rainfall Of Garbage
NEWARK - The Maple Leafs traveled to Prudential Center to face the scorching hot Devils riding a franchise record 13 straight victories.
After a win on Monday against Edmonton, they had all the confidence in the world. However, the Devil’s win streak ended after a heartbreaking loss to the Maple Leafs, losing the chance to break their record of 13 consecutive victories since 2001.
Dougie Hamilton scored for New Jersey and Vitek Vanecek had 18 saves.
For Toronto, John Tavares and Pontus Holmberg scored to go with Matt Murphy’s 34 saves.
The Final was 2-1 in favor of the Maple Leafs (11-23-2022) Devils fall to (16–4) while Maple Leafs get to (11-5-5)
NOT PLAYING THEIR GAME
The first period did not show the Devils as they have been on their win streak. Throughout the first quarter, the Devils’ shots on goal were doubled, despite a slight face-off advantage. The Devils had struck first just before halfway in the first period, but the officials called off a goal by the Devils’ Nathan Bastian. The call was reviewed and confirmed Bastian interfered with Leafs’ goalie Matt Murphy when they contacted the goal’s front. Four minutes later in the period, John Tavares started scoring after a Mitch Marner backhand pass and a great effort to get the puck back into Devil's territory. Not long after, the Leafs struck again with a failed attempt at starting a breakout for the Devils Brendan Smith. Following the scramble for the puck, Pontus Holmberg was left alone against Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek. After the Encounter at the goal, the Leafs took a comfortable 2-0 lead.
FANS BOO’S ECHO OTHERWISE QUIET PERIOD
Another goal was negated on a Ryan Graves shot early in the second period, from interference with goalie Matt Murphy. The stadium was filled with boos.
Late in the period a hooking call resulted in a huge missed opportunity for the Devils. Yegor Sharangovich committed it against Justin Holl, negating a possible 2 on 2 situation close to the goal. The period ended on a Devils power-play that would carry into the third.
GARBAGE RAINS AS DEVILS TRY TO RETURN TO FORM
The Devils power play resulted in nothing to start the period to the dismay of fans. Midway in the period, a poor showing by fans of the stadium erupted. On a picked pass, the Devils had their first goal by Erik Haula. However, upon review, it was decided that he had kicked in the goal that would have saved the deficit. The reaction to the call caused a monsoon of garbage to be thrown on the ice by fans at Prudential Center. With just over five minutes left, the Devils finally got on the board after they rallied for the shot off the boards. Dougie Hamilton was responsible for the lone score of the night for the Devils. Despite a flurry of shots on goal for the Devils in the final seconds, the puck was knocked into open ice to end the game. Vitek Vanecek played a lot better following the first-period goals he let up, but the damage was done. The Devils ended their franchise-tying win streak at 13.
AFTERMATH
Toronto will travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Friday to see if they can continue winning after putting out the Devils fire. New Jersey will travel to face the Tri-State rival Buffalo Sabres on Friday to see if they can get back on track after losing their win streak.
Also Written By: Mikey McElroy