The New Jersey Devils will try to continue their recent surge when they visit the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs for tonight's battle at Air Canada Centre.
New Jersey has compiled an 8-1-1 record over its last 10 games and that hot stretch has pushed the Devils into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, where they sit just one point ahead of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
The Devils have won their last three tilts and are coming off Sunday's 3-1 decision in Montreal. Martin Brodeur made 21 saves to help lift Jersey to its sixth straight road victory and boost the Devils' record as the guest to 18-10-1.
Brodeur has allowed two goals or less in six straight starts and has surrendered a total of eight goals over that span.
"We have ourselves in a good position, but we have a lot of work to do," said Brodeur. "It's going to get harder as we go, but the boys are playing with a lot of passion. They're blocking shots and making a second effort."
Zach Parise, David Clarkson and Matt Taormina each lit the lamp for the Devils in Sunday's win at the Bell Centre.
Following tonight's test, the Devils will return home for a two-game residency against Vancouver and Tampa Bay.
New Jersey defensemen Kurtis Foster and Adam Larsson are both questionable for tonight's game with back injuries. Larsson has sat out the last eight contests, while Foster has missed just one game so far.
The Maple Leafs began February on a three-game winning streak, but the club has gone just 1-5-0 since then. The rough patch certainly hasn't helped Toronto's playoff chances and the Leafs are currently tied with Winnipeg for the East's eighth and final postseason berth.
Toronto halted a four-game slide with Wednesday's overtime win in Edmonton, but the Leafs then ended their road trip by getting routed in Vancouver on Saturday. Daniel Sedin led the way for the Canucks with a goal and three assists and Vancouver breezed to the 6-2 decision at Rogers Arena.
James Reimer started in net, but was pulled in the second period after getting tagged for four goals on 18 shots. Jonas Gustavsson finished the game between the pipes and allowed two goals on 18 shots.
"You can't fault James (Reimer)," Toronto head coach Ron Wilson said. "They had a number of two-on-ones when we pinched. Those are things you talk about before the game, knowing who you're playing against: No turnovers. They don't need a lot to make you pay and tonight they made us pay."
Dion Phaneuf and Nikolai Kulemin scored for the Maple Leafs, who have tallied just 11 goals over their last six games.
Tonight's tilt marks the start of a four-game homestand for Toronto, which is 16-9-4 as the host this season.
The Devils have taken three of their last four meetings with the Leafs. New Jersey has recorded overtime victories in its previous two trips to Toronto.
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