March 3, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) and defenseman Dougie Hamilton (7) celebrate the Devils’ victory over the Florida Panthers at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Image Two teams struggling to remain competitive in the playoff race are scheduled to meet in Newark, New Jersey on Wednesday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the New Jersey Devils.
The Maple Leafs are nine points behind the Boston Bruins for the final Eastern Conference wild card slot. New Jersey is two points behind Toronto, and both clubs have 21 games remaining.
Friday’s NHL trade deadline is of more immediate concern than the postseason chase. Because the Leafs and Devils could already be heading into next season. The sudden absence of a regular player from both teams’ lineups on Wednesday could mean that player is on the verge of being dealt.
New Jersey is riding a two-game winning streak and hasn’t given up hope of making a late run. Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers matched the Devils’ highest scoring performance of the season and was one of the team’s better all-around efforts during an inconsistent season.
“I thought we played a great 60 minutes, and we haven’t done that in a while,” said forward Cody Glass, who scored his 14th goal of the season Tuesday.
“We felt like we were doing the right things in the first and second periods, but we didn’t finish the game hard enough. So the last two games, we’ve done a good job of that. … We’ve got to take it one game at a time.”
The Maple Leafs are 3-8-2 in their last 13 games and are winless (0-3-1) in four games since returning from the NHL Olympic break.
Monday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers gave Toronto at least one point, and coach Craig Berube said he felt the improved performance was a “blueprint” for the Leafs to remain competitive.
“We need to go to Jersey and do the same thing,” Berube said. “They’re (a) fast team with a lot of skill, so we’re going to have to check hard, do the right things, take care of the puck, move quickly, get up and work.”
A recent trip to New Jersey was beneficial for the Leafs. That’s because Toronto is a perfect 9-0-0 in their last nine away games against the Devils. Wednesday’s win would tie the Maple Leafs’ franchise record for most consecutive road wins over a single opponent.
William Nylander leads the Maple Leafs in assists (36) and points (56) despite Nylander being limited to 44 games due to a lower body injury. Captain Auston Matthews leads the team with 26 goals.
Goalies Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Wall will split back-to-back starts as the Maple Leafs play the Rangers in New York on Thursday. Wall will likely face the Devils after making 33 saves and allowing no runs in the Leafs’ 4-0 win over New Jersey on Dec. 30.
Jake Allen is likely to play Wednesday against the Leafs after Jacob Markstrom started against Florida. Allen stopped 23 of 25 shots in the Devils’ 5-2 win at Toronto on Oct. 21.
The Devils are 4-6-0 in their second straight comeback win this season.
Jesper Bratt leads the Devils in assists (31) and points (44), while captain Nico Hischier leads the team with 20 goals.
New Jersey is just 1-for-23 on the power play over its last eight games, but the team’s penalty kill is 32-for-35 over its last 14 games.
This strong penalty kill unit will be tested on Toronto’s red-hot power play. The Leafs are 5-for-12 with extra offense in their last five games.
–Field level media
