Devils Shut Out Maple Leafs 4-0 as Hellebuyck Records First Shutout

Connor Hellebuyck recorded his first shutout for the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, stopping 23 shots in a 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

The win marks the Devils’ fourth consecutive victory, and the team has won nine of its last 10 games.

Timo Meier paced the offense with two goals, while Nico Hischier and Connor Brown added to the tally in a game where Toronto struggled to maintain consistent offensive pressure. For the Maple Leafs, the defeat represents their third consecutive loss, extending a difficult stretch where the team has dropped five of its last six contests in regulation, according to Sportsgambler.

Sheldon Keefe speaks to the media following tonight’s shutout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. pic.twitter.com/hQ4ulIcO2K

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Hellebuyck’s Historic Start and Meier’s Multi-Goal Night

Meier opened the scoring at 8:28 of the second period, capitalizing on a set play where he circled from the boards to the slot for a one-timer. He doubled the lead less than five minutes later when a shot from Jack Hughes deflected off him and past Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who finished the night with 25 saves.

Hischier extended the lead to 3-0 on a power play at 9:49 of the third period, banging in a rebound off a Hughes shot. Brown finished the scoring with an empty-net goal at 17:23, with Stolarz pulled for an extra attacker.

Leafs lines in warm-up Cowan – Matthews – Roslovic McKenna – Tavares – Nylander Joshua – Sissons – Paul Duhaime – Blueger – MacEwen McCabe – Raddysh Ekman-Larsson – Stecher Mermis – McWard Stolarz starts Boborovsky @TSN_Sports

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Injury Woes for the Maple Leafs

The loss marks a low point for the Maple Leafs, who were playing in their cream-colored “Hometown Remix” sweaters for the first time. The team’s depth was tested further Sunday as several key players were sidelined.

Defensemen Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev were both unavailable, with Rielly suffering from a lower-body injury and Tanev held out for maintenance. Forward Jack Roslovic was a late scratch following warm-ups due to a lower-body injury, and forward Colton Sissons, who left the game late in the second period with the same designation.

The @MapleLeafs are rocking their Hometown Remix Jerseys for the first time! 🍁 pic.twitter.com/EtYpNfptq7

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We have a lot of guys that are out right now, which is tough. But it’s that next-man-up mentality. Everybody’s just got to ask a little bit more of themselves and go from there and just be better.

Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller expressed concern regarding the status of the injured players, noting that losing a player mid-game is always difficult. When a guy doesn’t finish the game, you tend to be a little more concerned, Hiller said.

Devils Shut Out Maple Leafs 4-0 as Hellebuyck Records First Shutout — Photo: Sportsgambler

The absence of key personnel was compounded by a lack of special teams opportunities; for the first time in the 2026-27 season, the Maple Leafs did not receive a single power-play chance, while the Devils converted on one of their opportunities.

Hischier Reaches 500 Career Points During Hall Induction Week

The game coincided with the Hockey Hall’s induction week, with pregame ceremonies honoring the Class of 2026, including Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk, Cindy Curley, and builder Brian Burke. Bergeron participated in the ceremonial puck drop before the game commenced.

BROWNIE HITS THE EMPTY NET!!!#NJDevils | US 4, THEM 0 pic.twitter.com/6WAMCJ1Rx8

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During the contest, Nico Hischier recorded an assist on Meier’s first goal to become the third Swiss-born player in NHL history to reach 500 career points, joining Roman Josi (799) and Kevin Fiala (528).

It makes me a little proud, for sure. But at the end of the day, like, trying to win something here. Yeah, I guess, it’s, like, some memories I’ll have forever, but I want to get better memories with winning something for the team.

NJ Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Post-Postgame LIVE! 11/7/26 DEVILS WIN 4-0!

Following the game, Toronto captain Auston Matthews noted the team’s struggles with consistency. It’s just been tough for us to string together momentum and consistency through 60 minutes of play, and that’s really just been our Achilles’ heel all season long, Matthews said.

Earlier coverage: Winnipeg Jets Complete Historic Four-Goal Comeback to Defeat Montreal Canadiens in Overtime

Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for his first shutout with New Jersey as the Devils handed the Toronto Maple Leafs their third straight loss, and the fifth in the last six in regulation. https://t.co/F3qSoTjPyA

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