The Devils were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
The New Jersey Devils were defeated 5-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night at Prudential Center. Toronto scored two goals in nine seconds in the middle frame and four unanswered goals to propel themselves to their 46th win of the season.
For the 53rd time this season, the Devils surrendered the game's opening goal. Nicholas Robertson, brother of Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson, scored his 13th goal of the season. The goal was unassisted.
Nico Hischier tied the game with 5:36 remaining. Behind his net, defenseman Brendan Smith moved the puck up ice to Dawson Mercer. The 22-year-old passed the puck to Nico Hischier, who outskated Toronto defensemen Jake McCabe and Simon Benoit. His backhand shot beat opposing netminder Joseph Woll for his 27th goal of the season.
After 20 minutes, the two teams were tied at 1-1, with the Maple Leafs holding a 7-4 shot advantage over the Devils.
Mercer gave New Jersey its first lead of the night 5:17 into the middle frame on the man advantage. With Jack Hughes out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, the Bay Roberts native took his spot on the first power play unit. Mercer hit the 20-goal mark for the second consecutive season with that goal.
The lone assist was given to Hischier. It was the captain's second point of the night and 65th point of the season.
Toronto tied the game 10 minutes later with Tyler Bertuzzi's 20th goal of the season. The winger extended his point streak against New Jersey to eight games. His linemate, Max Domi, and McCabe picked up the assists.
A mere nine seconds later, Toronto took the lead courtesy of Mark Giordiano. Auston Matthews picked up his 28th assist, and Bertuzzi picked up his second point in the game.
The Maple Leafs skated into the second intermission with a 3-2 lead over the Devils. Entering Tuesday's game, Toronto had a record of 34-3-3 when leading after two periods.
A little over seven minutes into the third period, Matthews scored his 66th goal of the 2023-24 campaign.
With a little over a minute remaining, Toronto hit the empty net, securing a 5-2 victory over New Jersey. Goaltender Jake Allen made 32 saves on 36 shots for a save percentage of .889.
The Devils were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 37-37-5.
UP NEXT: The Devils will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, April 11.
LINES:
Shane Bowers - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier - Erik Haula - Alexander Holtz
Ondrej Palat - Tomas Nosek - Dawson Mercer
Kurtis MacDermid - Chris Tierney - Nolan Foote
Luke Hughes - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Brendan Smith
Jonas Siegenthaler - Simon Nemec
Jake Allen
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