Final
Kessel, Leafs send Devils to 10th straight setback
Apr 16, 2013 - 5:29 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Phil Kessel's power play goal with 6:32 remaining in regulation helped give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-0 win while sending the New Jersey Devils to a franchise record-tying 10th consecutive loss.James Reimer made 31 saves to post his third shutout of the season for Toronto, which sits firmly as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference after recording at least one point in 13 of its last 14 games.
The Devils, last year's Stanley Cup runner-ups, have been going the opposite direction and are six points back of the eighth-seeded New York Rangers with six games to play.
"I think we could have won our last six or seven games and I don't doubt that we can win six or seven in a row," Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. "We don't have to change a lot to do that other than to score a few goals."
Martin Brodeur, stuck on career win No. 666, only faced 12 shots and gave up the deciding goal late in regulation.
On the possession following Marek Zidlicky's holding penalty, the Maple Leafs passed the puck up top before Dion Phaneuf fed Kessel at the left circle. Kessel closed in with a defender between himself and Brodeur and let a wrister fly that found the back of the net to break the scoreless tie with 6:32 on the clock.
The outcome was sealed on Jay McClement's empty-netter in the final minute.
"We made the most of our chances when we got them," Reimer said.
Toronto has not allowed a power-play goal in seven straight games, killing off 24 penalties in that span, including four Monday.
Game Notes
Reimer has recorded three shutouts in each of his first three NHL seasons ... The Devils, who have been without forward Ilya Kovalchuk throughout the skid, last lost 10 in a row from Oct. 14-Nov. 4, 1983 ... New Jersey has not led at any point in their last seven games ... The Devils are 1-6-6 in their last 13 road games ... Toronto swept the season series for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
- NEW JERSEY: 0
TORONTO: 2
Final
Apr 15 9:38 PM - NEW JERSEY: 0
TORONTO: 0
End of 2nd
Apr 15 8:38 PM - NEW JERSEY: 0
TORONTO: 0
End of 1st
Apr 15 7:45 PM - NEW JERSEY: 0
TORONTO: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Apr 15 7:10 PM
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