Devils 6, Maple Leafs 3: Clawing back

Jake Allen stole the show once again while helping the Devils inch slightly closer towards a playoff spot.

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A few notes following an exhilarating game between the Devils and Maple Leafs:

Another goalie steal

I really talked up Toronto’s offense in the game preview and noted that – even without Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly – the Maple Leafs were extremely dangerous and likely to heavily test Allen.

He was up for the challenge and then some, bouncing back in a big way following his only non-Grade A performance since joining the Devils.

The tone was set on the very first shift of the game. Maybe 30 seconds had passed and John Tavares found himself wide open in the slot for a golden chance. Allen slammed the door shut, giving the Maple Leafs a taste of what was to come.

They peppered Allen early and often in the opening frame, generating 25 shots on target. The Devils allowed nearly a full game’s worth of looks in one period and yet they still left the ice with a lead. Allen deserves a ton of credit for that.

Although the Devils slowly tightened up as the game progressed, they still gave up 45 shots and 20 high-danger chances. It was a really poor defensive showing and yet it didn’t matter.

Allen was dialled in from start to finish, stopping pucks in every way imaginable. Whether he was flashing the glove, sprawling around his crease to make saves in flurries, or extending the pad just enough to get a toe on it, he continually had answers to the questions the Maple Leafs were asking.

It is not an exaggeration to say Allen has stolen the Devils more wins over his six games with the team than their other netminders did in 60+ games before his arrival.

He was nothing short of spectacular for the fifth time in six starts, again earning the Devils points they didn’t necessarily deserve.

It’s too bad he didn’t waive his no-trade clause when it was reportedly brought up back in December. The Devils might well be battling to hang onto a playoff spot rather than steal one.

Clinical counter attacking