Maple Leafs 2, Devils 0
Maple Leafs 2, Devils 0: James Reimer made 32 saves for his ninth career shutout and Phil Kessel snapped a scoreless tie with 6:32 remaining in the third period as host Toronto extended New Jersey’s winless streak to 10 games.
Reimer stopped nine shots in the first period, seven in the second and 16 in the third en route to his third blanking of the season. Jay McClement added an empty-net goal for Toronto, which stretched its point streak to five games (4-0-1) and climbed within three points of Boston for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Martin Brodeur turned aside 11 shots for the Devils, who are 0-6-4 on their skid and remained six points behind the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East. New Jersey has been blanked in two consecutive contests despite outshooting its opponents 65-24.
Reimer kept the game scoreless as the Devils attacked in the third period, making his best save midway through the session with Maple Leafs defenseman Ryan O’Byrne in the penalty box. Reimer robbed Patrik Elias on a one-timer from the slot, reaching across with his right pad.
Eight seconds after New Jersey defenseman Marek Zidlicky was whistled for holding, Kessel took a pass from Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf and fired a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle that eluded Brodeur. Kessel has six goals in his last four games and nine points in his last five.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New Jersey LW Ilya Kovalchuk, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, missed his 10th straight game with a shoulder injury but could return Thursday against Philadelphia. ... Maple Leafs LW Joffrey Lupul (concussion) sat out his fifth consecutive contest. ... Toronto was credited with 52 hits and 22 blocked shots in the game. Maple Leafs D Cody Franson led all players with nine hits, while Phaneuf and Devils D Andy Greene both blocked five shots.