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Devils nip Leafs in SO

Jan 29, 2015 - 5:31 AM Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Patrik Elias registered the winner in the shootout as New Jersey nipped Toronto 2-1 at Prudential Center on Wednesday.

Adam Larsson scored for the Devils, who returned from eight days off and won for the third time in their last four contests.

Cory Schneider came up with 29 saves in regulation and two in the shootout.

It wasn't a pretty game but Schneider, without question, played outstanding throughout," Devils interim coach Lou Lamoriello said.

James van Riemsdyk netted the lone goal for the Maple Leafs, who suffered their seventh straight defeat. Jonathan Bernier stopped 22 shots.

Jacob Josefson opened the second round of the shootout by beating Bernier on the backhand, and after Tyler Bozak's wrister failed to vex Schneider, Elias smoothly pulled Bernier out of position and scored on the backhand to end the contest.

"I thought we played a pretty solid game; the shootout is always a coin flip," van Riemsdyk said. "It's been a tough stretch for us, there's no hiding that."

Van Riemsdyk snapped the scoreless deadlock on an individual rush up the left wing -- sprung by a Bozak bounce pass off the boards -- which ended on his successful backhander with 8:11 left in regulation.

Bernier then turned aside Mike Cammalleri twice on a breakaway chance inside five minutes to play, but Larsson tied the game with 2:50 to go on a wrister from the point.

"Because I have a terrible slap shot," Larsson deadpanned when asked why he chose a wrister on the game-tying marker.

Schneider made 18 stops and Bernier 13 over the first two periods.

Game Notes

The Devils continue a homestand against the Penguins on Friday and the Leafs return to Toronto to welcome Arizona on Thursday ... Toronto defenseman and team captain Dion Phaneuf did not play due to a hand injury ... The Leafs were 0-for-5 on the power play but peppered Schneider with 12 shots during those advantages.