Devils down Maple Leafs 6-5; Matthews scores two to reach 68 goals on the season

The National Hockey League (NHL) game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, April 13, 2023, saw an exciting finish at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Devils emerged victorious with a score of 6-5, handing the Maple Leafs their fifth consecutive loss.

Two key players stood out in this high-scoring encounter. For the New Jersey Devils, Jesper Bratt was instrumental, scoring a total of two goals in the game. His first goal came in the first period, and his second, which proved to be the game-winner, was netted with only 114 seconds remaining in regulation time.

On the other side, Toronto Maple Leafs' star Auston Matthews continued his impressive offensive performance this season by adding two more goals to his tally. With these goals, Matthews reached a new milestone, surpassing 60 goals and setting a new personal best with a total of 68 goals for the 2022-2023 NHL campaign.

Another notable player for the Toronto team was Timo Meier, who contributed to the offense by scoring two goals as well. However, these efforts were not enough for the Maple Leafs to secure a win, as they were unable to keep up with the Devils' momentum throughout the game.

The first period saw both teams trading goals, with New Jersey taking a narrow 3-2 lead into the first intermission. The second period was dominated by Toronto, who managed to score three unanswered goals and take a 5-3 lead. However, the Devils rallied back in the third period, scoring three goals to secure a dramatic victory and hand the Maple Leafs their fifth consecutive loss.

This thrilling encounter showcased the offensive prowess of both teams, with a combined total of 11 goals scored between them. The Devils' victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, while the Maple Leafs will look to regroup and bounce back from this disappointing loss.

With only a few games remaining in the regular season, the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is heating up, and both teams will be eager to secure their place in the postseason action. The next encounter between these two teams is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where the Devils will be looking for another victory against their divisional rivals.