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Martin Brodeur's wins against Toronto, 17 entering the first of three meetings between the clubs in eight days, are the fewest of any NHL team he's faced at least 40 times.
Last season he didn't beat them in regulation (1-0-2) and his overall line is 17-15-10 with a 2.46 GAA (goals-against average).
"You hope to have success equally against everybody, but it happens," Brodeur told the Bergen Record.
However, Brodeur held the Leafs to 27 goals in 13 playoff games in 2000 and '01.
THE STORYLINES
- In one of those scheduling quirks, the Leafs haven't faced the Devils yet this season, but will play New Jersey three times in the next week, starting Friday in Jersey. Though the Devils are an elite team, the Leafs went 3-0-1 last season against the Devils, with three games going to OT.
- This could be one of the most boring games in the history of hockey. The Devils continue to play a trap-type game under coach Jacques Lemaire, and have given up an NHL-least 115 goals. Add that to the fact that the Leafs are struggling to score and, well, the few thousand Jersey fans who show up at the Prudential Center should be wildly entertained.
DEVILS NOTES
With a 2-1 shootout loss in Buffalo on Wednesday, the Devils have dropped two games in as many nights and are now 2-5-1 in their last eight games.
INJURIES
RW David Clarkson, leg; LW Patrick Elias, concussion; D Paul Martin, arm; C Rod Pelley, lower body.
MOST VICTORIES BY TEAM
(TOP 5 AND VS. LEAFS)
Team GS W
Philadelphia 76 44
NY Islanders 73 43
NY Rangers 82 41
Pittsburgh 67 38
Montreal 58 37
Toronto 42 17
BRODEUR'S BEST GAA
Team GAA
Montreal 1.78
Florida 1.98
Carolina 2.01
Tampa Bay 2.05
NY Rangers 2.06
BRODEUR'S WORST GAA
Team GAA
Pittsburgh 2.61
Philadelphia 2.47
Toronto 2.46
Boston 2.43
