In order for the New Jersey Devils to have a chance at getting into the playoffs, they have to win games against teams they don't play well against. And that's just what they did when they were playing against the Leafs.
Not one goal was scored in the first period. Most of the action during the period was when each team received power plays for penalties that the other team received. The Devils were the first team to get a penalty when, 13 minutes into the period. Jordin Tootoo tripped a player on the Leafs team. Then at 18 minutes, Mike Santorelli received a penalty for delaying the game.
The second period only saw penalties and power plays; no goals. David Clarkson (Maple Leafs) and Dainius Zubrus (Devils) each received a penalty for high-sticking. Jake Gardiner of the Toronto Maple Leafs received a penalty for holding and the final penalty for the period went to the Devils when Travis Zajac tripped another player.
The third period is when most of the action took place. Two minutes into the period, Peter Holland (Toronto) and Mark Fraser (New Jersey) both got a penalty for roughing. And then less than two minutes later Jarmoir Jagr (Devils) was penalized for holding. Just under 12 minutes into the third period, the Leafs scored the first goal of the night. James Van Riemsdyk scored the goal with assists from Bozak and Clarkson. Adam Larsson (Devils) received the last penalty of the evening for slashing. Adam Larsson scored a goal for the Devils with only 2:50 left in the game.
The game went into overtime where neither team scored. The game ended in a shootout with Patrik Elias scoring the winning goal for the New Jersey Devils.