TORONTO – The percentages have been stacked towards the Toronto Maple Leafs, who on Tuesday have been taking part in their third recreation in 4 nights because the Christmas break and have been with out key injured gamers Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Chris Tanev.
However the Maple Leafs hunkered down and benefited from an excellent efficiency from netminder Joseph Woll within the 4-0 victory towards the New Jersey Devils earlier than 18,923 at Scotiabank Area.
Woll made 33 saves to earn his first shutout of the season and first regular-season shutout in additional than 13 months.
“He was unreal for us,” mentioned Maple Leafs ahead Matthew Knies, who scored an empty-netter within the third interval after Bobby McMann and Nicolas Roy had the house squad forward 2-0 after 40 minutes. Calle Jarnkrok scored within the third interval.
“He (Woll) was simply our greatest participant,” Knies added.
Woll was on his recreation early with a giant cease on Ondrej Palat within the opening 5 minutes. He additionally shone throughout a few New Jersey energy performs, the primary late within the second interval and once more within the late going of the ultimate interval.
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“I believe simply feeling the puck early is good,” the 27-year-old from St. Louis mentioned. “Anytime you get pictures early, make massive saves early, I believe that positively helps you get engaged, get within the recreation.”
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Woll frolicked on the injured reserve record when he got here down with a lower-body ailment in early December. He returned final week and has now received three in a row.
Woll gave credit score to his teammates up entrance for his or her sturdy efficiency within the absence of Matthews (decrease physique), Nylander (decrease physique), Tanev (decrease physique), in addition to Dakota Joshua, who stays in Detroit after struggling a kidney harm within the recreation towards the Crimson Wings on Sunday.
His teammates blocked 16 pictures, with Jake McCabe main the way in which with eight.
“It’s how sturdy we performed, and particularly within the third interval,” mentioned Woll, who needed to cope with a 6-on-4 Devils benefit when New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe pulled Jacob Markstrom throughout an influence play.
“It’s how a lot you shut them down with them pulling their goalie and having a couple of minutes on the additional attacker and stuff,” Woll mentioned. “So it’s an excellent workforce run for us.”
The Maple Leafs have received three of their final 4 outings, with an time beyond regulation loss in Detroit. Their improved play was not misplaced on head coach Craig Berube.
“We’re taking part in lots higher, puck play is healthier,” Berube mentioned. “All people contributed, and the goalie was fairly good. The workforce has confidence, they’re understanding how we have to do issues.”
NEWFIE CONNECTION
The Maple Leafs honoured 10 gamers who handed away in 2025 with a pre-game tribute, and it wasn’t misplaced on Devils ahead Dawson Mercer when Alex Faulkner’s picture was proven on the scoreboard.
Mercer hails from Carbonear, Nfld. Faulkner, who handed away six weeks shy of his 89th birthday, was the primary Newfoundlander to play within the NHL. He’s thought of the patron saint of Newfoundland hockey.
“I by no means met him,” the 24-year-old Mercer mentioned. “However there are just a few of us who’ve performed within the NHL from Newfoundland. Everyone knows who he was and the way a lot he’s meant to us. He was the primary.”
Mercer carried out in his 367th consecutive recreation. In his fifth season, the 24-year-old has but to overlook an outing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 31, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
