The New Jersey Devils’ record-tying 13-game winning streak came to an end on Wednesday night following the team’s 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center.
John Tavares and Pontus Holmberg both scored in the first period to hand the Leafs a comfortable two-goal lead, as the second period remained goalless. While New Jersey’s Dougie Hamilton pulled one back for the Devils with 5:08 left in the third period, the team was unable to find an equalizer.
The Devils’ coach Lindy Ruff noted during the postgame interview that his team was unfortunate to score three disallowed goals. Toronto goalie Matt Murray, on the other hand, deliver an exemplary performance on the night, making 34 saves.
After defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-5 on Tuesday night, the Devils drew level with their franchise record of 13 straight wins set between Feb. 16 and March 23, 2001. This is the fifth-longest winning streak in NHL history and just four games shorter than the record set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993.
Despite not managing to attain this record, New Jersey’s recent performances have skyrocketed them to the top of the Eastern Conference Metropolitan Division, putting them in a prime position to advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
