(My Sportsbook) - The
New Jersey Devils will try to clinch the Atlantic Division crown tonight when they host the
Toronto Maple Leafs for a clash at Prudential Center.
The Devils need only to gain a point in tonight's contest to secure their third division title in four seasons. New Jersey has 102 points on the season and is seven ahead of Philadelphia, which is hosting Florida tonight.
Jersey has won back-to-back games since suffering through a season-high six- game losing streak. The Devils halted the skid Friday against visiting Tampa Bay and then recorded a victory the following night in Buffalo.
Martin Brodeur was spectacular between the pipes, stopping 35 shots, including 21 in the third period to lift the Devils past the Sabres, 3-2, at HSBC Arena.
Brodeur earned his 17th win of the season for New Jersey (49-26-4), which tied a franchise record for wins set in 2006-07. David Clarkson, Zach Parise, and Jamie Langenbrunner lit the lamp for the Devils.
The Devils were without defenseman Niclas Havelid (lower body) and forward Patrik Elias, who missed his third straight game with a leg injury. Both players missed practice on Monday and are not expected to play tonight.
New Jersey is 27-11-1 as the host this year and is playing its second-to-last home game of the regular season tonight. The Devils will visit Ottawa on Thursday before finishing with a home test Saturday against Carolina.
The Maple Leafs have been eliminated from postseason contention and have lost two straight and four of their last five games.
Toronto hosted Montreal on Saturday and was handed a blowout loss by the rival Canadiens. Alexei Kovalev registered a goal and three assists, as the Habs continued their playoff push with the 6-2 win at Air Canada Centre.
John Mitchell and Boyd Devereaux scored for the Maple Leafs, while Martin Gerber surrendered six goals on 29 shots in defeat.
Toronto is 17-19-4 as the guest this year and is completing its road schedule tonight. The Leafs will close their regular season on a two-game homestand, as they'll host Buffalo on Wednesday and Ottawa on Saturday.
The Maple Leafs have taken two of three from New Jersey this year, but the Devils have still won five of the last seven encounters. Toronto has lost three of its last five games in the Garden State.