All About The Jersey - New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs: Game Stream #26A world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2014-12-04T23:34:37-05:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/70931542014-12-04T23:34:37-05:002014-12-04T23:34:37-05:00Devils Stepped Up in 5-3 Win Over Leafs
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<figcaption>Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With several players out sick or injured and winless in their last five games, the New Jersey Devils stepped up to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3. This recap focuses on the goals, the returns, and who did damage for Toronto among other thoughts.</p> <p>Stepping up is a common phrase in sports. It's means for a player, a unit, a team, an organization, or even a fan base to do more. Improve their performance. Put out a better effort. Recognize that the situation may be non-ideal, dire, bleak, and/or downright bad and try to rise above it. They put out respectable efforts in their last two games, but they only scored once across those games and lost both. They had to deal with a <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> team that has been very good at home and very prolific in scoring. With the <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Devils</a> without their best center in <span>Travis Zajac</span>, their best forward in <span>Jaromir Jagr</span>, their...well, <span>Patrik Elias</span>, an emerging defenseman in <span>Adam Larsson</span>, and without a win in their last five games, the Devils needed to collectively put up a strong game to get that elusive win. They essentially did that in their 5-3 win.</p>
<p>It was not so much a case of the Devils dominating the game in terms of possession. Toronto took the game over and that edge only increased in the third period as the lead did. But the Devils applied enough pressure to keep the team honest when they had the lead. To get that lead, the Devils took advantage of the sketchy defense that has been present for the Maple Leafs. Denied zone exits aren't a countable stat anywhere, but the Devils got plenty of those which kept their offense alive. It directly led to one of their power play goals, which gave them a 3-2 lead heading into the third. Their unawareness bit them for three other goals, which helped get the Devils up so big. The passing through the neutral zone was acceptable. <span>Cory Schneider</span> made plenty of impressive stops; but with the offense, he didn't have to be absolutely pinpoint perfect. It was the sort of game Devils fans like you and I haven't seen in a while. It wasn't just a very welcomed win, but a quality win.</p>
<p>What's more is who provided the goals. <span>Eric Gelinas</span> scored early to convert a power play with a wrist shot. <span>Stephen Gionta</span> put a dump-in back around the boards and then popped in his first of the season off a one-timer set-up by <span>Steve Bernier</span>. <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> got the team's second power play goal by pounding a rebound off the end boards from The Truth. Steve Bernier corralled a rebound in front of <span>Jonathan Bernier</span> off a <span>Marek Zidlicky</span> shot, curled and put the puck in low. After <span>Michael Ryder</span> forced a puck into the slot, <span>Adam Henrique</span> followed him with no issue to snipe the puck past Bernier after a weird diving poke check. That's two goals from the fourth line, two power play goals, and a goal to extend a lead created in part by a man who hasn't scored in a long while. With so many players out, the contributions had to come from varying sources and they did. That's what makes me pleased with the victory. The gameplan didn't rest on one unit doing all the work or hoping they'd win close. The team kept the Maple Leafs honest with the lead, they added to it, and they only had to sit back when they had a 4-on-6 penalty kill in the final minutes of the game. That's quite good, all things concerned.</p>
<p>It wasn't a perfect effort by any means, but given the situation of the team's lack of recent results and lack of healthy players, they clearly stepped up. They were rewarded for it. Well done.</p>
<p><b>The Game Stats: </b>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/GS020378.HTM">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/ES020378.HTM">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/PL020378.HTM">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/SS020378.HTM">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20142015/TV020378.HTM">NHL.com Devils Time on Ice Log</a> | The <a target="_blank" href="http://naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20142015&game=20378">Natural Stat Trick Corsi Charts</a></p>
<p><b>The Opposition Opinion: </b>Maybe <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets</a> will recap this game? They didn't for the team's 5-3 win on Tuesday. Maybe they will because they lost? I don't know.</p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>Goals from Gelinas, Cammalleri, Henrique, Bernier, and Gionta should be enough of a reason to check out the highlight video from NHL.com:</p>
<p align="Center"><iframe height="395" width="640" frameborder="0" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020378-X-h"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Fangless Cerberus: </b>Toronto's top line didn't really play like one at even strength. <span>Phil Kessel</span>, James van Reimsdyk, and <span>Tyler Bozak</span> certainly got their 'O' going but it was mostly on the power play. Kessel's four shots and his one goal - a total consolation goal - was on the power play. Bozak's lone shot was on the power play. Van Reimsdyk was the only one of the trio who put up three shots at evens - and somehow got nothing on net in the third. They actually struggled against the <span>Seth Helgeson</span> and Marek Zidlicky pairing at evens, which is really impressive considering it's a rookie and Marek Zidlicky. They saw a lot of Adam Henrique, Michael Ryder, and Mike Cammalleri at evens and because Henrique's line attacked so much, they didn't get nearly as much in response. That the Devils kept them mostly in check at even strength was a big reason why the Devils got the result they got. Kessel, van Reimsdyk, and Bozak lead Toronto's goal and shot production; so if they only do damage on special teams and it wasn't much, then that's a victory within the game that can help lead towards a victory in the game.</p>
<p><b>These Other Leafs Did What They Wanted: </b>While the top line was quelled, two other lines behind them had their way with the Devils at times. The unit of <span>Daniel Winnik</span>, <span>Peter Holland</span>, and <span>David Clarkson</span> were just a handful at times tonight. They combined for nine of Toronto's 23 shots at even strength tonight and made life difficult for most of the Devils, especially <span>Jon Merrill</span>. They nearly scored in the third with a scrum in the net where Michael Ryder had to cross-check Holland down, giving Toronto their first power play of the night. So they did well but thanks to some timely clean ups in front of the net and Schneider, they didn't get on the scoreboard.</p>
<p>The most threatening line was <span>Mike Santorelli</span>, <span>Nazem Kadri</span>, and Joffery Lupul. They didn't start off great, but when they got going, it was a force to be reckoned with. <span>Damon Severson</span> and <span>Andy Greene</span> played a lot of defense tonight against them. The Henrique line had some troubles with them, the Jacob Josefson-led line absolutely had trouble with them, and the few shifts Merrill and Gelinas saw against them were difficult to watch at times. This unit actually did get on the scoreboard. Lupul took a shot from distance and Santorelli re-directed it down next to Schneider. The stick was judged to be below the crossbar, so the goal stood. Kadri didn't score at evens, but he made the Devils' power play look stupid with a shorthanded goal off his own rebound. Thankfully, that would be it from them.</p>
<p>This isn't to say that the Devils got totally rolled beyond the Bozak line. The Devils did get a little offense against them. Just that these two lines gave the Devils the most problems. I will say that while the attempts were ugly for Severson, Greene, <span>Mike Sislo</span>, <span>Damien Brunner</span>, and <span>Tuomo Ruutu</span> among others. Yet, they didn't get heavily outshot at evens or shut out from being present for shots. So the Devils got pressured, but it wasn't as if it was a total shooting gallery for the Leafs when it happened.</p>
<p><b>The Return of Sislo: </b>While Sislo got to play more in his own end than otherwise, I was generally pleased with how he played. He wasn't an eyesore at all for the 15:03 of ice time he did play. He got a shot off, he helped set up others for shots, and he used his speed well to chase down pucks. Late in the game, his forechecking efforts did give the Leafs pause in their own end, and little things like that have to be done to help hold on to a lead. I'm not saying that Sislo needs to stay with New Jersey. But he was OK in a non-ideal situation.</p>
<p><b>The Return of Ryder: </b>Michael Ryder had himself a neat performance tonight. He didn't get hammered on defense, which is usually good. While he only got one shot on net, he did attempt five shots, which is what I'd like to see from him. I really did like Ryder's two assists. He was very smart to stay in front of the net while minding with the defender behind it. When Marek Zidlicky kept it in, Ryder was in a good spot to collect it off the sideboards and laid a good pass to Gelinas. That became Cammalleri's goal, which took a 3-2 lead late in the second period. Later in the third, he took a chip in by Adam Henrique, curled, and instead of just releasing a shot that Bernier was ready for, he dragged it into the middle. <span>Korbinian Holzer</span> just lied on the ice, couldn't really knock it away but because of that, Henrique was able to drop in behind him for a shot. He's helping make things happen and that's what going to keep him as a regular. The goals will come provided he keeps firing away. (He also got a friendly no-call for a hook on a needless forecheck in the third, so no penalties for him.)</p>
<p><b>The Return of Merrill: </b>Well, Jon Merrill got two assists tonight. Good? Well, it's not quite so simple. He struggled in his own end of the rink. When Daniel Winnik beats you with a simple move by the net, it's indicative of a bad night. He was just a bit off with everything he did in his own end, from positioning to making clearances. While he got the two assists, he didn't attempt a shot on net and that's with nearly three minutes on the power play. It was good in general to see him back what with Adam Larsson suddenly getting sick. While he had his struggles, he wasn't a complete and utter disaster. I'm just saying he could have been better. In his defense, it was the first game back after an injury so he'll have the opportunity to be better. It'll be interesting to see what happens after Larsson comes back; keep in mind <span>Peter Harrold</span> was already sent down to Albany for his return.</p>
<p><b>The Return of One Awful Power Play: </b>The Devils scored two power play goals, but their power play ended up as a +1 tonight. They conceded a shorthanded goal tonight and it was terrible. Nazem Kadri just took the puck up ice, Zidlicky did nothing about it (Aside: Zidlicky had a very good night other than this in my view), Kadri took a shot, Schneider paddled the rebound away in haste, Severson bungled that puck, Kadri took it and easily put it in. That was awful. So did the fact that it tied up the game at the time 2-2. But it wasn't just that moment for the Devils' second power play of the night. That whole advantage was a waste as the Devils seemingly spent more time not in Toronto's end than they were in it. Because the Devils did convert the other two chances and won the game, it'll just be noted that it was bad and not necessarily a sign that the power play is going to become some kind of colander for penalty killing forwards to get through.</p>
<p><b>The Return of Cammalleri: </b>OK, he wasn't out, but I wasn't real pleased with his performance in Pittsburgh. He passed up a few shots and didn't really create so many. Tonight, he got four on net, he did score a PPG, and he was very active in all situations. He ended up being one of New Jersey's better forwards in possession and helped make the Devils go forward. This is the kind of game the team needs from Cammalleri, especially with Jagr and Zajac still out.</p>
<p><b>The Continued Return of the Bernier Comeback Season: </b>Bernier has been playing good hockey for his role in recent weeks. Tonight, he was in full effect. He actually created one of his two shots out of sheer will. He was strong on the forecheck. His passes were mostly good, with the highpoint being his feed to Gionta in the second period. Bernier got four attempts at shooting and scored his first goal since November 7. It allowed people to throw up the rare "X on X crime" statement, with X = Bernier. He's still very much a fourth liner, but he was effective tonight. Arguably the best player named Bernier at the rink tonight. Nights like this justify his continued inclusion in the lineup. So while he didn't leave, his good play continues his cause to stay in the NHL.</p>
<p><span>The Return of Questionable Decisions by the Opponent: </span> When Tuomo Ruutu was correctly tagged for a tripping penalty late in the game, the Leafs had the puck. There was about 2:30 left. Bernier was pulled for the extra skater and the Leafs proceeded to pass it around, have a puck bounce off someone's skate to leave the zone, have another Leaf recover and skate all the way back to their own slot, and then attempt a breakout. Roughly 26 seconds later, a Devil touches it. Down three goals, the Leafs should've thrown the puck away, let the Devils get it immediately, then push for a quick power play goal to keep faint hope alive. Well, they burned nearly half of a minute and then thanks largely to Cory Schneider making some ridiculous point-blank saves, it takes about 90 seconds before Kessel batted in a puck. Not that the Leafs were more likely to score three in 2:30 than three in two minutes, but it only helped the Devils retain the lead. The PPGA? I don't care, it was purely consolation. At least Kessel left the rink with another mark in the 'G' column.</p>
<p><b>The Return of Goals: </b>Seriously, the Devils scored five goals on a goaltender for the first time since the second game of the season. The Devils didn't just snap a five-plus-period long scoreless streak, they put it away and made Jonathan Bernier suffer for it. I cannot emphasize how much I enjoy that. Let's hope it continues along with some returning players.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>The Devils won their first game in nearly two weeks and did so by a decisive score; they out-scored a high-scoring Leafs team. What was your reaction to the win? Who would you say was the best Devil tonight? Who could have been much better? Who stepped up the most? What do you think of the performance in general? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's win in the comments.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who followed along in the Gamethread and on Twitter with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/inlouwetrust">@InLouWeTrust</a>. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2014/12/4/7338053/new-jersey-devils-stepped-up-in-5-3-win-against-toronto-maple-leafsJohn Fischer2014-12-04T18:30:02-05:002014-12-04T18:30:02-05:00Devils at Leafs: Gamethread #26
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<p>This is the gamethread for today's game between the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is a post where users can discuss what happens before, during, and after the game until the recap is up.</p> <p><strong>The Time:</strong> 7:30 PM EST</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast:</strong> TV: MSG , Radio: 660 AM &101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup:</strong> The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">New Jersey Devils</a> (9-12-4) vs. The <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> (13-8-3) SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets.</a></p>
<p><strong>The Game Previews: </strong>John's preview from earlier <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2014/12/4/7327719/new-jersey-devils-at-toronto-maple-leafs-game-preview-26">is right here.</a> For the opposition's point of view, feel free to drop by <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets.</a></p>
<p><strong>The Song for Tonight: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqaZtLCU9_k">"Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop.</a> Things are looking pretty bad for our heroes in red and black as of late so I'm dialing up an inspirational lil tune this eve. If anyone knows about not letting life get them down it's Mr. Iggy Pop.</p>
<p><strong>Gameday Info:</strong> It appears both <span>Jon Merrill</span> and <span>Mike Sislo</span> will be new additions to the Devils line up tonight. <span>Cory Schneider</span> is expected to start in net. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Check in</a> with Tom Gulitti for this and all the latest NJ Devils news.</p>
<p><strong>The Reminder of Rules: </strong>This is a place where you can comment about this game before, during, and after it's played before the recap is up. This is a place where we <em>primarily</em> discuss the Devils game. An odd mention of other NHL games is OK, but it shouldn't dominate discussion. All comments will be clean, respectful of each other, relevant to the game, and legal (read: no streams). Please refrain from super-big pictures (640 x 480 max) and NO .GIFs whatsoever to keep the gamethread moving for everyone. If you do post pictures make sure to post a title in the comment. Go Devils.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2014/12/4/7336887/new-jersey-devils-at-toronto-maple-leafs-gamethread-26JT Sroka2014-12-04T07:00:02-05:002014-12-04T07:00:02-05:00Devils at Maple Leafs: Game Preview #26
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<figcaption>Pictured: the top line for Toronto. Also known as the biggest threat for New Jersey tonight. | Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The New Jersey Devils are hurting but the season presses on with a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This game preview takes a close look at what the Leafs have been about this season and guesses who can even play forward for the Devils.</p> <p>Who's line is it anyway? More like, who can be on a line?</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>7:30 PM EST</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG; Radio - 660 AM & 101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Devils</a> (9-12-4) at the <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> (13-8-3; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets</a>)</p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>The Devils went into Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. The night went south from a player standpoint as three Devils forwards were injured and left the game early. <span>Stephen Gionta</span> and <span>Patrik Elias</span> left the first period early. <span>Jaromir Jagr</span> got hit in the head by <span>Robert Bortuzzo</span>. That left the Devils with nine forwards, including the 2014-15 debut of <span>Scott Gomez</span> and <span>Jordin Tootoo</span>. Gomez actually played well and Tootoo wasn't a disaster. In fact, the team as a whole played a pressure-heavy game against Pittsburgh. <span>Marc-Andre Fleury</span> (and two posts) kept the Devils away from scoring. <span>Cory Schneider</span> did the same against the Pens with once exception: <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> free in the slot, slid in a backhander early in the third. That would be the game's only goal. Given the circumstances, it wasn't a bad game by the Devils by any means but moral victories aren't worth anything in the standings. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2014/12/2/7324797/new-jersey-devils-edged-by-pittsburgh-penguins-robert-bortuzzo-needs-a-suspension">My recap of the 0-1 loss is here.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2014/12/2/7324797/new-jersey-devils-edged-by-pittsburgh-penguins-robert-bortuzzo-needs-a-suspension"></a><b>The Last Maple Leafs Game: </b>Toronto hosted Dallas on Tuesday night and they played a high-event game. Both teams combined for 78 shots on net. There were plenty of goals. The first came real quickly; <span>Tyler Bozak</span> fired a shot that James van Reimsdyk apparently touched 27 seconds into the game. Later in the first, <span>Mike Santorelli</span> held up deep along the sideboards and drew two <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Stars</a> players. He turned, passed it back to <span>Nazem Kadri</span>, and Kadri hammered a shot past <span>Kari Lehtonen</span> for a 2-0 lead. Toronto extended that lead with a power play conversion early in the second period when <span>Phil Kessel</span> slid a low shot to the far post perfectly past a screened Lehtonen. Dallas would get on the board minutes later from a blast off the rush by <span>Jason Spezza</span>. But Toronto retook a 4-1 lead when Joffery Lupul put home a rebound created from a shot by <span>Cody Franson</span>. Dallas made it 4-2 early in the third off a put-back by <span>Ryan Garbutt</span>. But Lupul was in the right place, right time a few minutes later to put home another rebound to make it 5-2. <span>Ales Hemsky</span> gave the Stars a glimmer of hope but that would be it. Again, loads of attempts, shots, goals, and the Maple Leafs prevailed.</p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>Attack, attack, attack. The Maple Leafs are certainly a threat going forward. They're second only to Tampa Bay in goals scored in the league prior to Wednesday's game. They also give up quite a bit. In terms of shots in all situations, the Leafs have averaged 30.5 shots for and 33.1 shots against per game - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20152ALLSAAAll&sort=avgShotsAgainstPerGame&viewName=summary">the fourth highest per-game average in the NHL.</a> In terms of even strength play, the Leafs remain well below break-even in terms of shooting attempts. <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/teamtable.html?mansit=2&scoresit=1&homeawaysit=1&tablegroup=2&xaxis=1&yaxis=5&saxis=46&caxis=2&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2014-12-03&splitseasons=1&tablegroup=2">War on Ice has them at 47.05% Corsi</a>, one of the lowest percentages in the league. Furthermore, their attempts against per 60 rate is 60.97, third only to Calgary and Buffalo. The Leafs have been scoring a lot of goals, but they've been giving up more than their share of opportunities to their opposition. The Devils, shorthanded as they may be up front, will have to follow suit. I know "finishing" has been an issue in the last two games, but it's critical that the Devils players create situations where they can actually do so. If they can get there, then they'll have a shot at getting a badly needed result out of Toronto.</p>
<p><b>Goal-Scoring Cerberus: </b> Cerberus is the Greek and Roman mythical three-headed dog. The Leafs have such a thing at forward: the line of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and James van Reimsdyk. <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=2&scoresit=1&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=TOR&pos=5&xaxis=1&yaxis=16&caxis=6&saxis=4&panel=&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2014-12-03&splitseasons=0">They may have been beaten in possession</a> (they face toughest competition among Leafs forwards), but their bites have left significant marks on the scoreboard. Of the 81 goals Toronto has scored, these three have combined for 33 of them. Kessel, Bozak, and van Reimsdyk respectively lead Toronto in scoring both in goals (12, 11, 10) and points (26, 23, 20). Kessel and van Reimsdyk can, have, and will shoot the puck a lot. They are first and second, respectively, in shots on net on Toronto. Bozak is an interesting case. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2014/12/1/7312047/how-many-points-will-tyler-bozak-score-this-season">Per this post by draglikepull at Pension Plan Puppets</a>, Bozak is on his way to setting career highs in production. Whether it's a function of good fortune, playing with Kessel and van Reimsdyk, and/or his own growth is immaterial tonight. He's another head the Devils will have to try and limit him from damaging the team too much.</p>
<p><b>The Rest of the Leafs Pack: </b>Of course, a team does not become second in the league in goals scored on one line alone. Toronto has enjoyed support from other players. Joffery Lupul has been back in the lineup; he has five goals and two assists in 12 games. <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=2&scoresit=1&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=TOR&pos=5&xaxis=1&yaxis=16&caxis=6&saxis=4&panel=&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2014-12-03&splitseasons=0">He's been Toronto's best possession player so far</a>, which means good things for Nazem Kadri (who hasn't been bad on this team) and Mike Santorelli (who could be better). Speaking of, Kadri has been a solid scorer with six goals and eight assists. Santorelli has a more modest four goals, but he's been helping others make successful plays given his 13 assists. Those three are together as a line and will likely follow the Bozak-centered first line.</p>
<p>Their bottom six has plenty of contributors. The team is likely to be without <span>Daniel Winnik</span> and <span>Leo Komarov</span>, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/540173526964391937">as they did not practice on Wednesday according to Mark Masters.</a> Both haven't been scoring a lot of goals, but like Santorelli, they've been involved in helping others with 8 and 12 assists respectively. But there's still <span>Peter Holland</span> with five goals and four assists; <span>David Clarkson</span> (yes, <i>that</i> David Clarkson) putting up seven goals and an assist; and <span>Richard Panik</span> having chipped in four goals in a fourth line role. When the top line isn't producing, all is not lost for the Toronto offense. Provided they get there since, again, <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=2&scoresit=1&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=TOR&pos=5&xaxis=1&yaxis=16&caxis=6&saxis=4&panel=&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2014-12-03&splitseasons=0">plenty of Leafs have been on the wrong side of possession.</a></p>
<p><b>One Pairing and Then...This: </b>Toronto's top pairing of <span>Dion Phaneuf</span> and Cody Franson have not only been quite productive, but they also lead the blueline in minutes and <a target="_blank" href="http://war-on-ice.com/playertable.html?mansit=2&scoresit=1&homeawaysit=1&shotattsit=1&names=&team=TOR&pos=6&xaxis=1&yaxis=16&caxis=6&saxis=4&panel=&usedaterange=0&start0=20142015&end0=20142015&start1=2014-10-01&end1=2014-12-03&splitseasons=0">go up against the toughest competition and not necessarily get wrecked all the time.</a> It hasn't gone too badly. Beyond them are players who have played a lot in their own end of the rink this season. Morgan Reilly certainly has a future, but he's part of the other two pairings that the Devils really should look to pin back. Many other teams have done so already. It'll be interesting to see which Devils get Phaneuf-Franson given the state of their own forwards.</p>
<p><b>A Goalie of Quality: </b><span>Jonathan Bernier</span> has correctly been the starter for the Leafs in this season. Given all of the shots that he's facing, that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?gameType=2&position=G&season=20142015&sort=evenStrengthSaves&status=A&team=TOR&viewName=specialTeamSaves">he's stopping 92.4% of them at even strength and 88.9% of them on the penalty kill has been quite helpful.</a> If he can maintain that, then the potential damage of the Leafs being out-attempted and out-shot ha sbeen somewhat. Not so when <span>James Reimer</span> is in net. Despite a superior penalty killing save percentage, he's rocking a well-below-average save percentage at evens with 89.7%. In total, the Leafs have conceded close to an average of three goals per game. The Leafs' offense has been good enough to average more than three goals per game. So provided Bernier can keep it up, Reimer does better at evens in spot duty, and the offense doesn't dry up, the Leafs can keep on keeping on. Although, they'd do better to help the goalies face less action more often. In any case, I'd expect Bernier to start as the Leafs are like the Devils in that they do not have a game before and after this one.</p>
<p>Incidentally, those high save percentages on the penalty kill are a good reason why the Leafs' success rate has been good. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20152ALLSAAAll&sort=penaltyKillPercentage&viewName=summary">84.5% is a top ten PK% success rate at this moment.</a> It's partially why I wouldn't bank on the Devils' power play doing too much. The other reason would be the actual performance of the power play as of late.</p>
<p><b>So Who's Playing Forward for the Devils?: </b>The status of Stephen Gionta, Patrik Elias, and Jaromir Jagr remains in doubt for tonight. All three traveled with the team to Toronto. However, they did not participate <a href="http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2014/12/will_devils_have_enough_healthy_bodies_for_clash_with_maple_leafs.html" target="_blank">in Wednesday's skate per this article by Rich Chere at NJ.com.</a> In that article, Elias has revealed he's had a "groin issue" and Gionta got treatment for his foot. It remains to be seen whether who can and cannot play. Travis Zajac, Martin Havlat, and Ryane Clowe did not travel with the team, so neither of them can even possibly return to play. No one was called up on Wednesday; I suspect there could be one or two tomorrow.</p>
<p>Michael Ryder will be back in the lineup out of necessity as he is a forward who is not hurt. That still leave the Devils with only ten forwards assuming Elias, Gionta, and Jagr cannot play. If one of those three are good to go, then they'll be back. If the team and Jon Merrill thinks he can return, then he could be put in on defense and a defenseman (Eric Gelinas? Peter Harrold?) could handle spot duty as a winger. I don't know if that's what the team will do, but it's a possibility. But even then, a call up would be necessary. Albany isn't exactly at full strength either, but there's little choice at this juncture. Keep a close eye to the news on Thursday morning if/when that happens.</p>
<p>As for the healthy ones: do the best you can. Try to support the defense well, especially if it's not Andy Greene and Damon Severson against Toronto's Cerberus. Try not to get Toronto opportunities to put their pretty good power play out there. Try not to ask Cory Schneider to stand on his head for 60 minutes. And if your name is Mike Cammalleri, then just take every opportunity to shoot.</p>
<p><b>Condolences: </b>Montreal legend Jean Beliveau has passed away on Tuesday night. You would do well to read <a target="_blank" href="http://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/montreal-canadiens/red-fisher-jean-beliveau-was-a-special-man-on-and-off-the-ice">Red Fisher's article about the legendary captain in the Montreal Gazette.</a></p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>The New Jersey Devils are again hurting on the roster, they need a result, and while Toronto's not as good as Pittsburgh, they're a high-scoring squad and aren't nearly as banged up as the Devils. What do you expect from the Devils tonight? Please leave your answer and other thoughts about this game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2014/12/4/7327719/new-jersey-devils-at-toronto-maple-leafs-game-preview-26John Fischer