Devils at Maple Leafs
THE STORY: Earlier this month, New Jersey Devils netminder Martin Brodeur said he would like to return for at least one more NHL season. The way the all-time wins leader has played in February, that seems like a no-brainer. Brodeur looks to continue his hot play Tuesday as he leads the Devils into Toronto for a date with the Maple Leafs. The 39-year-old is 6-1-0 with a 1.56 goals against average and .945 save percentage this month, and is a major reason for the Devils' current three-game winning streak. The Maple Leafs have dropped five of six to slip into eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (Devils), Rogers Sportsnet Ontario (Maple Leafs)
ABOUT THE DEVILS (34-20-4): With Brodeur playing like he did during his prime, the Devils suddenly have home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in their sights. New Jersey enters Tuesday alone in fourth place in the East, a point ahead of the division-rival Philadelphia Flyers. New Jersey surged past the Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins with an 8-1-1 surge that has included victories over both Pennsylvania teams, and a pair of triumphs over the Atlantic-leading New York Rangers.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (29-24-6): It remains unclear what Toronto plans to do heading into Monday's trade deadline, but it's safe to say general manager Brian Burke expected to have at least one significant deal made by now. With his club fighting for its postseason life, ther may be even more pressure on Burke to make whatever deal he can to improve his sagging club over the final playoff push. Goaltending and defense have been a major concern of late, with Toronto surrendering 28 goals over its last seven games.
OVERTIME:
1. The teams have split a pair of meetings this season, with the road club winning both times.
2. Jonas Gustavsson will get the start in goal for the Maple Leafs. He is 3-1-0 with a 2.65 goals against average in five career games against New Jersey.
3. Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk has been sensational in February with five goals and 12 assists in nine games. That gives him 58 points in 53 games - two fewer than he had in 81 contests a season ago.