Keefe was coaching an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since being fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9. Having been hired by the Devils 14 days later, he’d faced his former team twice this season, both at Prudential Center.

In the last meeting of the season between the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, it was the first time head coach Sheldon Keefe would return to Toronto since last season.

Devils winger Stefan Noesen will miss Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs because of an illness, his second straight game sidelined. Coach Sheldon Keefe announced that Noesen had “not progressed well enough” to travel with the team on Wednesday, leaving their second line unsettled again.

Auston Matthews scored twice, and Joseph Woll made 21 saves for the Maple Leafs (28-16-2), who had lost three in a row in regulation. Marner and Jake McCabe, who returned after missing the past four games with an upper-body injury, each had two assists.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on Dec. 10. On Thursday, Sheldon Keefe will coach in Toronto for the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils. NEWARK, N.J. — The slogan that lines the dressing room wall of Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils team reads: Compete. Commit. Connect.

The New Jersey Devils had a quick one-game travel break in between some home games. They visited the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 16. Despite their best efforts, it was the Maple Leafs who were able to take home the victory 4-3 in overtime.

Expect the goal market for Auston Matthews to flourish against this New Jersey Devils team as the Toronto Maple Leafs play host.

William Nylander scored his second goal of the game at 1:10 of overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Thursday night.

Watch the Game Highlights from Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils, 01/16/2025