Devils Edge Maple Leafs in Shootout Thriller

New Jersey rallies from three deficits to extend Toronto's winless streak to five games.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The New Jersey Devils came from behind three times to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday night in Newark. Jesper Bratt scored the decisive goal in the shootout, capping the Devils' comeback effort after the Maple Leafs had taken leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2. The win extends New Jersey's winning streak to three games, while Toronto's winless skid reaches five contests.

Why it matters

The Devils' ability to rally from multiple deficits and prevail in a shootout showcases their resilience and knack for winning close games, which could pay dividends as they jockey for playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conference. For the struggling Maple Leafs, the loss extends their frustrating stretch and raises further questions about the team's direction ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The details

Arseny Gritsyuk and Connor Brown scored the other goals for New Jersey, while Matias Maccelli, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies found the back of the net for Toronto. Devils goaltender Nico Hischier recorded two assists, while Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz made 44 saves in a valiant effort. The game featured a combined 74 shots on goal, with the Devils outshooting the Leafs 47-27.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 5, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.
  • The Devils have now won three straight games.
  • The Maple Leafs are winless in their last five contests (0-3-2).

The players

Jesper Bratt

The Devils forward scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give New Jersey the victory.

Nico Hischier

The Devils captain recorded two assists, helping to orchestrate his team's comeback effort.

Anthony Stolarz

The Maple Leafs goaltender made 44 saves, keeping his team in the game despite being heavily outshot.

Matias Maccelli

The Maple Leafs forward opened the scoring with a first-period goal.

Matthew Knies

The Maple Leafs rookie forward scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to put Toronto up 3-2.

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What they’re saying

“We showed a lot of character coming back from those deficits. It wasn't our prettiest game, but we found a way to win and that's what matters most.”

— Nico Hischier, Devils Captain (therinklive.com)

“We had our chances, but just couldn't hold onto the lead. It's a tough one to swallow, but we have to regroup and get back on track before the deadline.”

— William Nylander, Maple Leafs Forward (therinklive.com)

What’s next

The Devils will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Boston Bruins on Friday, March 7th. The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, will aim to end their skid as they travel to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, March 8th.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth battle showcased the resilience of the Devils, who refused to be deterred by multiple Maple Leafs leads. For Toronto, the loss extends a frustrating stretch that could prompt roster changes ahead of the NHL trade deadline as the team searches for answers to turn their season around.