Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt each scored in the shootout, and Connor Brown’s late equalizer forced overtime as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Wednesday night, handing Toronto its fifth consecutive loss.
Brown tied the game with 2:21 remaining in regulation after taking a pass from Arseny Gritsyuk on a rush and lifting a quick shot past goaltender Anthony Stolarz. The late goal erased Toronto’s 3-2 advantage and sent the game to overtime.
Timo Meier and Gritsyuk also scored during regulation for New Jersey, which has now won three straight games. The Devils improved to 25-8-1 in games in which they score at least 3 goals. Jacob Markstrom finished with 24 saves.
Toronto received goals from William Nylander, Matias Maccelli and Matthew Knies, while Stolarz kept the Maple Leafs in the game with 44 saves. Toronto hasn’t won since defeating Edmonton 5-2 on Feb. 3, just before the Olympic break.
In the shootout, Cotter opened the scoring with a backhand move that beat Stolarz. After Markstrom stopped Nylander’s attempt, Bratt followed with another backhand finish to give the Devils a 2-0 edge. Markstrom then denied Auston Matthews to secure the victory.
Earlier in the third period, Knies had given Toronto a 3-2 lead by knocking in the rebound of a John Tavares shot with 6:10 remaining.
New Jersey controlled much of the play, outshooting the Maple Leafs 47-27 during regulation.
The Devils were without defenseman Brett Pesce, who suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s game against Florida.
Up Next
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Maple Leafs: Visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
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Devils: Host the Rangers on Saturday.
