Well, this is certainly going to be a different matchup than the first time around for the New Jersey Devils.
It’s not because the Toronto Maple Leafs have suddenly catapulted themselves among the elites again, either. No, instead, today’s Devils are a shell of the team Toronto saw earlier this season. Sheldon Keefe registered his first win against Toronto last time. This time, his lust for a win comes under very different circumstances.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Maple Leafs
— New Jersey is 1-0-0 against Toronto this season, winning 5-3 on Oct. 21.
— Jack Hughes (3g) registered a hat-trick against Toronto in their first meeting earlier this season. Jesper Bratt (3a) assisted on all three of his goals.
— Sheldon Keefe recorded his first career win against his former club on Oct. 21st, 2025.
2025-26 vs. Maple Leafs
10/21/25 W 5-3 Scotiabank Arena
12/30/25 7:00 P.M. ET Scotiabank Arena
3/4/26 7:00 P.M. ET Prudential Center
Devils vs. Maple Leafs
All-time Record: 53-70-20-14
All-time Home Record: 30-27-15-6
All-time Road Record: 23-43-5-8
Projected Devils Lineup*Forwards
Timo Meier – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Jack Hughes – Jesper Bratt
Arseny Gritsyuk – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Paul Cotter – Luke Glendening – Stefan Noesen
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes – Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon – Colton White
Goaltenders
Jake Allen
Jacob Markstrom
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Simon Nemec (undisclosed), Evgenii Dadonov (upper body), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee), Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed), Zack MacEwen (upper body).
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 200
Projected Maple Leafs Lineup*
Forwards
Bobby McMann – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
Matias Maccelli – John Tavares – Matthew Knies
Dakota Joshua – Nicolas Roy – Nicholas Robeetson
Steven Lorentz – Scott Laughton – Easton Cowan
Defensemen
Morgan Rielly – Philippe Myers
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Troy Stecher
Goaltenders
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 7:00 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio: DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Wed., Dec. 31 At CBJ 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Sat., Jan. 3 Vs UTA 3:00 P.M. E.T.
Sun., Jan. 4 Vs CAR 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Jan. 6 At NYI 7:30 P.M. E.T.
James is the New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and the PHWAs New … More about James Nichols