Devils Fall to Leafs in Shootout

The Devils defense after the starting the season giving up 9 goals in the first six games, now over the last three the light behind Brodeur has been lighting up like a christmas tree. The last three games have seen the Devils give up 14 goals against. Last night the visiting Leafs tore through the Devils defense for 5 goals and pestering the Devils net 48 shots. As it has been the problem in the two games against the Flyers, the Devils allowed the Leafs to crash the front of the net and scramble around the crease in front of Brodeur.



The Devils started off to a great start with a 2-0 lead after the first period, despite being outshot 13 to 7 by the Leafs. David Clarkson deflected a Mike Mottau shot from the point to get the scoring started. Then later in the period, Danius Zubrus scored off a loose puck in the crease that deflected off his knee and in the net. Rookie Matt Halischuk started the play, by forcing a turnover in the corner and then getting the puck to Andy Greene at the point. Greene then slid a pass to Gionta who came off the bench for Halischuk and took the puck to the net and banged two shots off Toskala's pads and then the second shot rebounded off Zubrus for the goal.



The Devils seemed to get complacent after the second goal and took it into the 2nd period. The Leafs scored three goals in the first seven minutes of the 2nd period t take a 3-2 lead. The Devils grabbed the lead back with goals by Jamie Langenbrunner and of all players Colin White to take a 4-3 lead heading into the 3rd period.



The lead would stay until half-way through the 3rd period when the Leafs scored two goals in a 1:10 period to take a 5-4 lead, including their third power-play goal of the game. Zach Parise would tie the game up under a minute later with his 7th goal of the season. The game ended a 5-5 tie and then the Devils who led the shootout after a Patrick Elias goal, could not finish the Leafs again as Gionta and Langenbrunner missed and Hagmann and Kaberle beat the Brodeur to win the shootout.



Notes:

- Andy Greene has been playing great since being inserted for Salmela. Greene has 6 points (1G-5A) and plus-4 +/- rating in his six games, including three assists last night. Hopefully we will see him more on the point of the power-play.

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