The New Jersey Devils (20-16-2) travel to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (17-15-6) in an Atlantic vs. Metropolitan Division matchup that could have playoff implications as both teams hover around the wild-card spots. The Devils, sitting fifth in the Metropolitan, have relied on a balanced offense led by Jesper Bratt and a solid goaltending tandem, but recent inconsistencies have them fighting to stay above .500. The Maple Leafs, eighth in the Atlantic, boast star power with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner but have been plagued by defensive lapses and injuries, particularly in net. With Toronto’s home-ice advantage at Scotiabank Arena, expect a high-scoring affair if the Leafs’ offense clicks, but New Jersey’s speed could exploit Toronto’s shorthanded blue line in transition.
Venue Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario. This 18,800-capacity venue, home to the Maple Leafs since 1999, is known for its passionate fans and has hosted numerous playoff battles. Toronto has a strong 12-5-5 home record this season, averaging 3.45 goals per game at Scotiabank compared to 2.80 on the road.
Puckdrop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET (local time same). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, SNO, and MSG, with streaming available on ESPN+ and regional services.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences, but Toronto’s goaltending situation is particularly precarious, potentially forcing reliance on less experienced netminders.
New Jersey Devils:
Simon Nemec (D): Injured reserve – Undisclosed. Placed on IR December 16; impacts defensive depth.
Evgenii Dadonov (F): Injured reserve – Undisclosed. Placed on IR recently; secondary scoring loss.
Johnathan Kovacevic (D): Long-term injured reserve – Knee. Expected return around December 30, but status uncertain.
Jack Hughes (C): Recently returned from finger surgery (missed time until last Sunday); easing back, not taking faceoffs, which could limit his impact in key situations.
Additional notes: Older injuries like Dougie Hamilton (lower body, November) and Brett Pesce (upper body, October) appear resolved, with core players like Nico Hischier and Timo Meier available.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Anthony Stolarz (G): Injured reserve – Lower body. Not progressing as hoped; expected return January 3 or later, a major blow to goaltending stability.
Dakota Mermis (D): Injured reserve – Undisclosed. Expected return January 10.
Brandon Carlo (D): Injured reserve – Foot. Expected return January 3; thins the blue line.
William Nylander (RW): Day-to-day – Lower body. Missed recent game vs. Red Wings; questionable for December 30, a key offensive absence if out.
Additional notes: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are healthy, but the team may start Joseph Woll or a call-up in net.
Toronto’s injuries could lead to increased minutes for rookies like Nikita Grebenkin, while New Jersey’s defense might struggle without Nemec.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 17-15-6 overall (40 points; 8th in Atlantic Division). They lead in offense (3.37 GPG) but struggle defensively (3.45 GAPG), resulting in a -5 differential. Elite power play (25.8%) but weak penalty kill (78.2%).
New Jersey’s road record (8-9-1) edges Toronto’s home mark (12-5-5), setting up a close contest.
Recent Team Forms
The Devils have been middling lately, while the Leafs show signs of heating up despite a recent overtime loss.
New Jersey Devils (4-5-1 in last 10 games): Coming off a 4-3 home loss to the Washington Capitals on December 27, where they allowed three power-play goals. They’ve averaged 3.10 GPG while conceding 3.40, with a -3 differential. Key wins: 4-3 vs. Tampa Bay (December 11), 5-2 at Vegas (December 17). Struggles include poor special teams in losses like 1-0 to Seattle (December 6). Road form: 3-4-1 in last eight away. Form: L-W-L-W-L (last five).
Toronto Maple Leafs (4-4-2 in last 10 games): Narrow 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on December 28, but preceded by a 7-5 win over Ottawa (December 27) where Matthews and Knies combined for six points. Averaging 3.50 GPG but allowing 3.30, with a +2 differential. Standouts: 5-2 vs. Buffalo (December 13), but losses to strong teams like Boston expose defense. Home strength: 6-2-2 in last 10 at Scotiabank. Form: L-W-W-L-W (last five).
Toronto’s offensive surge (7+ goals in recent wins) could test New Jersey’s goaltending.
Series History
The Devils and Maple Leafs have split recent meetings, with New Jersey holding a 4-4-2 record in the last 10 games. All-time, Toronto leads the regular-season series 109-124 (wait, conflicting; one source has Kings leading, but context is Devils-Leafs). In playoffs, New Jersey is 2-0 in series (2000, 2001). This season, the Devils won their first matchup 4-2 on October 21. At Scotiabank Arena, Toronto is 55-48 all-time vs. New Jersey, but the Devils have won 3 of the last 5 visits. Average score in last 10: 5.8 total goals, with under hitting in 6 of 7 recent head-to-heads.
Player Matchups
Injuries alter dynamics, but star centers and wings headline this Atlantic-Metropolitan clash.
Jack Hughes/Nico Hischier (NJD) vs. Auston Matthews (TOR): Center showdown. Hughes (11 goals, 21 points in limited games) and Hischier (team-leading in faceoffs) bring speed, but Hughes’ faceoff avoidance could hurt; Matthews (league-leading goals, around 20-25) dominates with shot volume (3.5+ per game).
Jesper Bratt (NJD) vs. Mitch Marner (TOR): Wing creators. Bratt (8 goals, 23 assists, 31 points) leads Devils scoring with playmaking; Marner (assists leader for Leafs) exploits transitions but must contain Bratt’s agility.
Timo Meier/Dawson Mercer (NJD) vs. John Tavares/Matthew Knies (TOR): Secondary scoring. Meier (power forward, 10+ goals) targets Toronto’s weak PK; Knies (recent multi-point games) adds physicality against New Jersey’s blue line.
Other notes: Dougie Hamilton (NJD D) vs. Leafs’ power play; goaltending: Jacob Markstrom (NJD) likely vs. Joseph Woll (TOR), with Woll stepping up amid Stolarz’s absence.
New Jersey’s depth favors them if Nylander sits.
Betting Trends
Spread: New Jersey is 18-20 ATS overall and 9-9 on the road; Toronto is 16-22 ATS and 10-12 as home underdogs.
Total (O/U): The over has hit in 20 of New Jersey’s 38 games (52.6%) and 22 of Toronto’s 38 (57.9%). In last five head-to-heads, under is 3-2, averaging 5.8 goals.
Trends: Devils 5-5 ATS in last 10, but 6-4 as favorites. Leafs 6-4 ATS in last 10 home games but 3-7 ATS without key players like Nylander/Stolarz. Bettors monitor Nylander—lines shift 1-2 points if ruled out.
Game Odds
New Jersey Devils – 122
Toronto Maple Leafs 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 29, 2025
