New Jersey Devils 4-0 win over Toronto Maple Leafs with Connor Hellebuyck shutout, Digi Mart USA News (Toronto, Canada): The Devils earned a 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Connor Hellebuyck recording his first shutout in a Devils sweater. The game started slowly, with neither team registering a shot through the first four minutes, and the first period ended scoreless with the Devils holding a 7-4 shot advantage.
The second period opened with more energy from New Jersey. Timo Meier scored the first goal after Declan Chisholm sent a pass to the middle of the ice, and Meier’s one-timer found the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Later in the period, Jack Hughes drove a heavy shot on goal, and Meier deflected it into the net for a 2-0 Devils lead. Meier had scored only one goal earlier in the season, and he now had two.
Hellebuyck handled the late second-period pressure well, keeping rebounds wide and clearing the puck when danger arose. He faced only a handful of shots through two periods.
In the third period, Jack Hughes had an early breakaway that was stopped by Anthony Stolarz. Later, Hughes covered for his defensemen on a Toronto shorthanded chance, and Hellebuyck denied Auston Matthews with a glove save around the eight-minute mark.
Nico Hischier scored on a rebound after a shot by Jack Hughes to make it 3-0. Connor Brown added the final goal late in the game, set up by Cody Glass’s hustle along the boards.
