Devils 4, Maple Leafs 0: Hellebuyck stops all 23 as New Jersey wins again

November 9 update: Hellebuyck will sit in Winnipeg

The Devils announced that Connor Hellebuyck will not play Tuesday in Winnipeg. General manager Sunny Mehta said the organization made the decision after deliberation despite Hellebuyck’s wish to play. The club plans a media availability after Tuesday’s morning skate at Canada Life Centre, at the goalie’s request.

Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 23 Toronto shots Sunday as the Devils won 4-0, extending New Jersey’s winning streak to five. Timo Meier supplied the first two goals; Nico Hischier and Connor Brown finished the scoring.

The official box score shows a complete night at both ends: New Jersey allowed 22 even-strength shots and one shorthanded attempt, with Hellebuyck stopping every one. The Devils generated 29 shots and put three past Anthony Stolarz before Brown’s empty-net goal.

Two goals in 4:16

Meier broke a scoreless tie at 8:28 of the second period and scored again at 12:44. His two goals came 4 minutes, 16 seconds apart. New Jersey turned a deadlock into a lead it could defend before the third period began.

Hischier’s assist on the opening goal brought him to 500 career points, according to NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika. He later scored on the power play. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each finished with two assists; the box score credits Meier with five shots.

Meier’s two finishes supplied the separation. Toronto faced a two-goal deficit entering the third period, then fell three behind when Hischier scored on the power play at 9:49. Brown’s empty-net goal at 17:23 completed the scoring.

A shutout, then a decision about Winnipeg

Cotsonika reports that Hellebuyck became the first goalie to win his first five games with the Devils. New Jersey improved to 13-5-0 and has won nine of its past ten. Toronto fell to 8-9-2.

After the game, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reported that the Devils announced Hellebuyck would not play Tuesday in Winnipeg. General manager Sunny Mehta described an organizational decision based on the team’s assessment of its chances to win. Hellebuyck told reporters he wanted to face his former club. The report does not identify an injury as the reason for the decision.