Music: {allcanada} DEVILS (14-10-3) at MAPLE LEAFS (9-13-5)

Monday, December 7, 2015

{allcanada} DEVILS (14-10-3) at MAPLE LEAFS (9-13-5)

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

7:30 PM ET

DEVILS (14-10-3) at MAPLE LEAFS (9-13-5)

TV: MSG, TSN4

Season series: The New Jersey Devils swept their three-game season series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014-15. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider went 3-0-0 with a 1.63 goals-against average and .948 save percentage.

Devils team scope: Coach John Hynes canceled practice Monday following a 4-2 victory against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center on Sunday. New Jersey traveled to Toronto Monday afternoon. Center Travis Zajac (upper body) did not travel and will miss his third straight game, according to NorthJersey.com. Players are aware this will be the first meeting against former Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, now GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lamoriello relinquished his position as GM of the Devils after 28 years, on May 4 and hired Ray Shero to replace him. He remained as president but resigned from that position and was named GM of the Maple Leafs on July 23. "I think most of us will think about [Lamoriello] before the game. But once it starts it's between the guys on the ice. But there's no doubt Lou had a huge impact on this team, this city and this state," Devils captain Andy Greene said. "That's something you can't just brush aside. He certainly had a big impact on my career; he stuck by me and gave me my first chance and I owe him a lot." Left wing Mike Cammalleri was named NHL Third Star of the Week after he had four goals and seven points in four games.

Maple Leafs team scope: Coach Mike Babcock was asked after practice Monday what his relationship has been like with Lamoriello since he took over as general manager. "He does everything he can to make you better and I've enjoyed him a lot," he told the Toronto website. "I got to know him best in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final just because of the program he built [in New Jersey] and he built a good one over there. Like me, he decided to make the change and he's brought a lot to the table and we're going to see that over time. But it's no different than when I played Detroit for the first time. When you play your old club for the first time you want your [new] team to play well and you want to be proud of them. It will be no different [Tuesday]." The Maple Leafs open a four-game homestand after going 1-2-0 on a three-game road trip. After facing the Devils, the Maple Leafs are off until Dec. 15 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. "I'd rather play sooner but it is what it is," Babcock said. "Our focus is New Jersey right now." Goaltender Jonathan Bernier had two shutouts during a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League last week and is scheduled to get two more starts this week, according to Babcock.

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