3 Takeaways from Maple Leafs 4-0 Shutout of the Devils

This didn’t look anything like the last meeting. New Jersey embarrassed the Maple Leafs earlier this year, skated circles around them and turned it into a long night. None of that showed up here. Toronto had the pace, never let go, and didn’t panic. By the end of the night, they were the ones standing tall with a 4-0 shutout.

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From Joseph Woll‘s perspective, it was perfect hockey. He stopped everything. His teammates, even without Auston Matthews and William Nylander, chipped away by scoring a goal each period until the end. The fourth goal went into an empty net.

You could see a team starting to get it, even if the standings haven’t caught up. Three things stood out.

Takeaway One: Woll Set the Tone, and His Team Gave More than Enough to Win

This game started and ended in the crease. Woll stood on his head when he had to, especially early, when New Jersey was still trying to turn speed into momentum. He made every save at the right time, and that kept the game from tilting.

That mattered because New Jersey doesn’t need much. One loose puck, one scramble, and suddenly the game feels different. Toronto never had to chase. The shutout came from staying calm, and Woll’s performance seemed to kill any belief on the other bench. As a result, everything else got easier.

Takeaway Two: The Maple Leafs Depth Scoring Drove the Game

With Matthews and Nylander out, this could’ve turned into a night where Toronto just tried to survive. Instead, guys like Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson grabbed the moment. McMann scored a power-play goal that ended up being the game-winner, and all night, his speed, strength, and purpose showed up in his shifts.

Robertson was just as noticeable. His puck movement and pace through the neutral zone were unmatched. He made little decisions that kept plays alive instead of forcing them. His energy wasn’t reckless, but controlled.

Robertson has shown that he’s been ready for this moment. You can see him settling into the responsibility. And when he starts pushing the play, it lifts everyone around him.

Takeaway Three: Is this the Game Berube Has Been Pushing Toward?

If this is the kind of game that head coach Craig Berube has been pushing, then it’s a good model. The team played in layers with the forwards dropping back and the defensemen finishing plays without wandering. Simon Benoit threw his weight around along the boards without chasing hits for the sake of it. Nicolas Roy looked strong all night.

Nothing about this game felt rushed. Toronto didn’t try to win it in one shift. They didn’t force anything. They let the game come to them, didn’t get cute, and just kept throwing pucks at the net. We’ve seen this movie before this season — it usually ends badly. This time, it held together.

Who knows what’s next for this team? Is it one step forward and two steps backwards? Against the Devils, this team finally played out an identity instead of searching for one.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs are still out of a playoff spot, and that hasn’t changed. The margin is thin, and every night is going to matter. But here’s the interesting question hanging in the air: What if this is actually the right way into the postseason?

Instead of cruising and watching the scoreboard, they’ve had to earn every inch. That kind of grind tends to sort things out pretty quickly. If they get in this way — clawing, defending, leaning on structure. Maybe they don’t have to ramp up to find their stride later. Maybe they’ve built it all season long.

Related: Devils’ Coach Challenges Team After Hischier and Knies Fight