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Devils-Maple Leafs Preview

Dec 7, 2015 - 5:36 PM After almost three decades as general manager of the New Jersey Devils, Lou Lamoriello is set to watch his old team while in the early stages of trying to revive his new one.

Hoping to turn things around in Toronto, Lamoriello faces the visiting Devils for the first time since becoming the Maple Leafs' GM on Tuesday night.

With Lamoriello in charge the past 27 seasons, New Jersey made 21 playoff appearances and won three Stanley Cups. But after moving to team president following Ray Shero's appointment to Devils GM in May, the 73-year-old Lamoriello resigned on July 23 to take his current job in Toronto.

"When you're used to having absolute control of an organization. … Lou was obviously president and Ray was GM, and I think it was just a different situation for him," Devils co-owner Josh Harris told the NHL's official website at the time. "I think it's relatively easy to see why he might consider a great team like Toronto as an opportunity."

Lamoriello took out advertisements in local newspapers thanking Devils fans, and was reported as saying last week that he has no hard feelings toward the current New Jersey front office.

While the Devils (14-10-3) under Shero are trying to reach the postseason for the first time since 2012, Lamoriello's job in Toronto appears more difficult. The Maple Leafs (9-13-5) have made the playoffs once in the last 10 seasons, managed 68 points in 2014-15 and are currently tied for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference.

"I understand it is not something that is going to happen overnight," Lamoriello said.

Looking to end an 0-3-1 slide against New Jersey, Toronto will try to win two straight for the first time since Nov. 17 and 20. The Maple Leafs had lost five of six and trailed within the first two minutes Saturday at St. Louis, but Nazem Kadri scored twice and Leo Komarov and Roman Polak each had two assists in the 4-1 victory.

"We're starting to become better with adversity than we used to be," Kadri said.

Though Toronto broke out after totaling one goal in the previous two games, it went 0 for 9 on the power play during the three-game trip. However, it's among the league leaders converting 26.7 percent at home.

"The bar to compete has to get higher and higher," coach Mike Babcock said. "The more guys we get to buy into being competitive, the more games we'll win."

With James Reimer (lower body) out at least one more game and the extent of Jonathan Bernier's AHL conditioning assignment uncertain, rookie Garret Sparks could be in net. Sparks shut out Edmonton on 24 saves in his NHL debut last Monday, allowed six goals at Winnipeg on Wednesday, then stopped 27 shots against the Blues.

Looking for a fourth consecutive road win, New Jersey has earned a point in three straight overall following Sunday's 4-2 home win over Florida. Adam Henrique had a goal with two assists and linemate Mike Cammalleri added one of each as the Devils prevailed despite recording 18 shots for the second consecutive contest.

Cammalleri has four goals and three assists in the last three games while Henrique has five with four assists in the last eight.

"Our line just wants to keep things going," Henrique told the Devils' official website. "We've set team goals for ourselves and need to find a way to keep producing offensively."

Teammate Cory Schneider, who made 34 saves Sunday, is 4-0-2 with a 1.60 goals-against average against the Maple Leafs.

Toronto winger and New Jersey native James van Riemsdyk is tied for the team lead with 16 points, but has been blanked in the last three.