More lessons learned for the Leafs

Published at 5:33 pm on February 6, 2010
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Gordon Anderson
I'm just a small time sports guy looking to get to the big time...

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Dainius Zubrus, Dean McAmmond, Ilya Kovalchuk (2), Jamie Langenbrunner, Jay Pandolfo, Jonas Gustavsson (6), Lee Stempniak (3), Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (2), NHL (27), Rickard Wallin, Tomas Kaberle (2), Toronto Maple Leafs (41), Travis Zajac

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Another game and another third period meltdown for Toronto.

The Devils scored three consecutive goals late in the third period to squeak out a 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs on Friday night.

Travis Zajac and Dean McAmmond scored before Jay Pandolfo capped the comeback at 19:41 of the third when he deposited a rebound behind Jonas Gustavsson.

Gustavsson made a right leg save on a shot from the point but the puck went right to Pandolfo who fired it into the empty net before Gustavsson could get back into position.

Dainius Zubrus scored the other goal for New Jersey (36-18-6) as they improve to 19-9 at home and snap a modest two-game losing streak. Ilya Kovalchuk recorded two assists in his first game with the Devils, following the Feb. 4. trade with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Tomas Kaberle, Lee Stempniak and Rickard Wallin scored for Toronto (18-29-11) as they fail to capitalize on a solid 3-0 win over the Devils on Feb.2. Gustavsson stopped 24 shots and takes his 13th loss of the year

The Devils opened the scoring at 13:20 of the first period when Zubrus dove and chipped the puck over the right shoulder of Gustavsson. Kovalchuk recorded his first point with New Jersey, registering an assist on the goal.

Three consecutive goals gave the Leafs a 3-1 lead after two.

Kaberle tied the game at 3:39 when his shot from the blue-line went bye the outstretched glove of Martin Brodeur and into the top corner. Brodeur stopped 17 shots for his 33rd win of the year.

Stempniak gave the Leafs a 2-1 lead at 10:23 when his slap shot from the right circle got through the legs of Brodeur.

Both goals were on the man advantage.

Wallin upped the lead to 3-1 at 16:09 following a turnover in the Devils zone.

Jamie Langenbrunner coughed the puck up in the slot and Wallin swooped in before shooting the puck between the legs of Brodeur.

McAmmond scored at 16:54 of the third to close the gap to 3-2 and Zajac tied the game at 19:16 on the power play, setting the stage for Pandolfo’s winner.