Keefe was coaching an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since being fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9. Having been hired by the Devils 14 days later, he’d faced his former team twice this season, both at Prudential Center.

The Devils will be without their No. 2 goal scorer for another pivotal and emotional game. Devils winger Stefan Noesen will miss Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs because of an illness,

William Nylander scored his second goal of the game at 1:10 of overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Thursday night.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on Dec. 10. On Thursday, Sheldon Keefe will coach in Toronto for the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils. NEWARK, N.J. — The slogan that lines the dressing room wall of Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils team reads: Compete. Commit. Connect.

In the last meeting of the season between the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, it was the first time head coach Sheldon Keefe would return to Toronto since last season.

William Nylander scored the overtime winner as the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied for a 4-3 victory over the visiting New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

Expect the goal market for Auston Matthews to flourish against this New Jersey Devils team as the Toronto Maple Leafs play host.

Watch the Game Highlights from Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils, 01/16/2025