Devils Lose 4-0 to Leafs; Hischier Fights Knies

In a 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier dropped the gloves with forward Matthew Knies in the third period, an uncharacteristic move that drew mixed reactions from head coach Sheldon Keefe. The fight occurred midway through the frame with the Devils trailing 2-0, highlighting the team's ongoing offensive struggles during a four-game skid.

The Devils outshot Toronto 33-33 but failed to solve goaltender Joseph Woll, who earned his third career shutout with a standout performance, including 14 saves in the second period alone. Toronto struck first when Bobby McMann scored less than two minutes after a key stop by Woll on Ondrej Palat in the opening period. Nicolas Roy added to the lead in the second, capitalizing on a turnover, before Calle Jarnkrok made it 3-0 early in the third. Knies sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in the contest.

Hischier, facing the larger Knies at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, was quickly taken down in the brief altercation, marking just the second fight of his NHL career. The captain's effort came as New Jersey searched for any spark amid a listless performance. Postgame, Keefe addressed the...