In Newark, the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs were relentless on Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over the hapless New Jersey Devils.
The Maple Leafs outshot New Jersey, 37-20, and clamped down of the defensive end limiting the quality shots over the game.
Auston Matthews hit for his 66th goal of the season.
He passed Alex Ovechkin for the most goals in a season by an active player, 65.
“It’s cool (to pass Ovechkin). He’s obviously who he is and what he’s done for the game and what he’s accomplished,” Matthews said. “It’s an honor to be in the same sentence with him.”
Joseph Woll made 18 saves in the win.
The Maple Leafs moved to 46-23-9 off their sixth win in seven matches.
The Maple Leafs grabbed a 1-0 lead in the opening stanza when Nicholas Robertson scored at 8:5, scoring off a wrister from the slot.
New Jersey replied with a marker from Nico Hischier at 14:25 to tie it, 1-1.
In the middle frame, New Jersey took a 2-1 lead on a power play strike by Dawson Mercer at 5:17.
New Jersey dropped to 37-37-5, and were eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
“I think this has been one of those seasons where there’s been high expectations and things don’t go the way you want,” New Jersey interim coach Travis Green said. “It’s different when you have a veteran team and young team, and you’ve also got a lot of people, key players injured all year. I believe there’s a process to everything.
“Our process really hasn’t changed from Day One. It’s been about how we improve as a group and how do we win more consistently than we have. It’s installing some of my beliefs.”
Toronto responded to the Mercer goal with four unanswered strikes.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored the first of a double at 15:00 of the middle frame to tie the game, 2-2.
“I think [Bertuzzi’s] playing with more confidence,” Matthews said. “I think he’s a super guy to play with, works hard in the corners. Between me, Bertuzzi and Domi, we try to hunt pucks, create turnovers and attack the other way, so it’s been a lot of fun to play with those guys.”
Mark Giordano hit just nine seconds later for a 4*2 lead, scoring off a shot form the left point.
Matthews then potted his goal at 7:33 of the third, scoring off a wrister from the above the right circle.
“When you watch Matthews, the amount of pucks he puts on net, the shots, the caliber of them is pretty special,” Mercer said. “Anyone in the League doing that is pretty special. It hasn’t happened in so many years.”
Bertuzzi collected his double at at 18:47 for the 5-2 final count on the scoreboard..
“For us as a team, we needed to come together a little more with four games left and keep up the consistency in getting ready for the playoffs,” Bertuzzi said. “We have to have that playoff mindset and play these last four games like it’s playoff hockey.”
Jake Allen made 32 saves in the loss.
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