Devils roll with Hughes hat trick to top Leafs 5-2, beat Wild 4-1

Jack Hughes scored the third hat trick of his NHL career and the New Jersey Devils beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Tuesday night in Toronto, then returned home the next night to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 for their sixth straight victory. The back-to-back wins underscored New Jersey's depth up front and the ability of its goaltenders to step in while starter Jacob Markstrom remains sidelined.

In Toronto, Hughes accounted for three goals as the Devils built and protected a lead at Scotiabank Arena. Cody Glass and Brenden Dillon also scored for New Jersey, and Jesper Bratt set up three goals. Jake Allen made 23 saves in the victory. John Tavares and Matias Maccelli scored for the Maple Leafs, and Anthony Stolarz stopped 30 shots. Toronto led after the first period but surrendered a quick sequence of goals early in the second that shifted momentum to the visitors. Toronto challenged New Jersey's opening goal for goaltender interference, but the on-ice call stood. The ensuing delay resulted in a delay-of-game penalty and a Devils power play goal by Glass that helped turn the game.

Toronto suffered a further setback when defenseman Chris Tanev left in the second period with an...