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Devils to Conclude Season Series with Toronto | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils
PREVIEW
DEVILS (37-37-5) vs. MAPLE LEAFS (46-23-9)
Head-to-Head
The Devils and Maple Leafs are facing off for the final time this season. In the first meeting, also in Toronto, the Devils beat the Leafs 6-3. In their most recent meeting, at Prudential Center, Toronto picked up a 5-2 win.
Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes have each scored two goals against the Maple Leafs this season, while Luke Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Timo Meier, and Max Willman have all scored once in this season’s series.
Devils Team Scope:
As the Devils enter the final three games of the 2023-24 season, they’re looking to snap a two game losing skid and rebound from a 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs just two nights ago. In that matchup, the Maple Leafs did take a 1-0 lead; however goals by Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer put the Devils ahead 2-1 early in the second period. Toronto would go on to score four unanswered goals to win the game, including two by Tyler Bertuzzi. The loss eliminated the Devils from playoff contention.
The lineup has had some changes this week as Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery on Wednesday and missed Tuesday night’s game as well. The forward is expected to be back during the Devils training camp in fall of 2024. Nolan Foote and John Marino did return from their respective injuries for Tuesday night’s game. On Wednesday, the Devils also recalled Graeme Clarke from the Utica Comets ahead of their two-game road trip.
Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are tied for the team-lead with 27 goals. Hughes is second on the Devils with assists, 47, and points, 74, through the 62 games he played this season. Hischier is third in assists (38) and points (65). Jesper Bratt has the most assists (54) and points (79) on the Devils.
Jake Allen continues to play significant minutes for the Devils and has played 11 games for New Jersey so far. With a 5-5-1 record, he’s averaging 2.86 goals agianst and has a .911 save percentage. Kaapo Kahkonen was injured in the Devils game against the Nashville Predators and the team recalled Akira Schmid from Utica to back up on Tuesday night. However, Schmid was reassigned to the Comets on Wednesday afternoon.
Following their game against the Maple Leafs, the Devils will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers for New Jersey’s final road game of the season. In their season finale, the Devils will host the New York Islanders on Monday, Apr. 15. That game will be Jersey Appreciation Night presented by MSG. More details available here.
Maple Leafs Team Scope:
The Maple Leafs are looking to keep things rolling as they’re riding a three-game win streak and have won seven of their last 10 games. In addition to beating the Devils Tuesday night, the Maple Leafs picked up a 3-2 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday and a 4-2 win in Montreal on Saturday. Toronto only has four games left in the regular season and have clinched a playoff spot. Currently they’re in third place in the Atlantic Division.
Auston Matthews leads the Maple Leafs with 66 goals and 104 points, while his 38 assists are fourth on the team. William Nylander’s 56 assists are a team-high while his 40 goals and 96 points are second. Mitch Marner is third on the Leafs with 25 goals and 79 points while his 54 assists are second most on the team. The Maple Leafs have turned to Joseph Woll for the two previous meetings between these clubs. In the first game he stopped 19 of the 24 shots he faced before stopping 18 of 20 in the second game.
After their game against the Devils, the Maple Leafs will play one more home game in the regular season as they host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. Following, Toronto heads south to wrap up their season with a back-to-back against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
By the Numbers:
Dawson Mercer’s 20th goal of the season on Tuesday night made him the fifth Devils player to have 20 or more goals this season. He joins Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt in this category.
In his 691st game, defenseman Brendan Smith recorded his 100th career assist. Smith has been producing quite a bit in recent contests as he has five points in his last four games, including his first three-point night on Apr. 6 against the Ottawa Senators.
Auston Matthews cannot be stopped. The forward scored his 66th goal of the season against the Devils on Tuesday which extended his goal streak to six straight games (7G). With that tally, he became the first active player to score more than 65 goals in a single season, a record previously held by Alex Ovechkin (2007-08 season). Matthews also is the first player to score 66 or more goals since the 1995-96 season when Mario Lemieux scored 69 goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Injuries:
Devils
Hamilton (torn pectoral muscle, LTIR)
Bastian (lower-body, IR)
Kahkonen (lower-body)
J. Hughes (shoulder)
Maple Leafs
Edmundson (undisclosed, week-to-week)
Jarnkrok (hand, week-to-week)
Klingberg (hip, LTIR)
Liljegren (upper-body, week-to-week)
Murray (hip, LTIR)
Muzzin (neck, LTIR)
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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