Forward Brian Gionta scored his first career hat trick in leading the New Jersey Devils to a comeback win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night at the Continental Airlines Arena.
The Devils erased a three-goal deficit in the third period in East Rutherford, N.J., to beat the Leafs 7-6 in a shootout on a wild night that saw both teams explode in offensive spurts.
Gionta, who was held pointless through the first 40 minutes, scored a natural hat trick in the third, including a goal with just 48 seconds remaining that forced overtime.
Brian Gionta scored his first career hat trick Thursday night in New Jersey's 7-6 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, including a goal with just 48 seconds remaining that forced overtime.
(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
"Obviously we struggled the first two periods." Gionta said. "We turned it on in the third and battled back for two points. It's gratifying when you do it."
After the extra five minutes failed to produce a winner, John Madden scored on the Devils' fourth attempt in the shootout, giving New Jersey the thrilling win.
Madden also scored two goals and an assist in the victory.
"We felt they were giving us chances to stay in the game," Madden said. "We missed some glorious opportunities in the second. We just wanted to go out, get the next goal and go from there."
Centre Matt Stajan led Toronto's attack with two goals and one assist, while Jeff O'Neill broke out of his slump with two points.
Toronto goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin stumbled in his season debut, allowing six goals on 30 shots.
Aubin was playing in place of newcomer Andrew Raycroft, who got a well-deserved break after posting a 1.45 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in four contests.
Leading 6-3 in the third period, the Leafs appeared headed for an easy win, but relaxed enough to allow the Devils time to rally.
"It's definitely frustrating," Toronto captain Mats Sundin said. "We played two good periods, and to let them back when you are up six-three is a heartbreaker. It feels like a loss even though we got a point."
New Jersey reduced Toronto's lead to 6-4 at 6:29 on the power play as Brian Rafalski's point shot hit Gionta's leg and beat a screened Aubin.
Gionta scored his second goal on another power play to bring New Jersey to within one goal at 14:19. The Devils winger was allowed to emerge from behind the net and slide a shot between the legs of Aubin.
The Devils sent the game into overtime after Gionta completed the natural hat trick just 38 seconds remaining in the third period.
Gionta was stationed in front of the Leafs' net and converted a Scott Gomez pass by a rattled Aubin.
Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur stopped 24 of 30 shots.
"It was a tough game for me but we pulled it out of our hat," he said.
"Give a lot of credit to the guys for bouncing back. When your goalie doesn't make the saves, it's hard to get up and get going. They proved they have a lot of character."
Toronto offered little resistance the rest of the way and paid the price for only managing four shots on Brodeur in the third.
The Leafs looked nothing like the team that scored five goals in the second period.
With the scored tied 2-2, Toronto used two goals in 48 seconds to take a 4-2 edge.
Stajan gave Toronto a 3-2 lead after skating just inside the Devils' blue-line and directing a slapshot that went off the glove of Brodeur at 3:50.
Chad Kilger put Toronto ahead by two goals moments later when he converted on a rebound to the left side of Brodeur.
The Leafs then got goals from Darcy Tucker and Alexei Ponikarovsky to build a 6-3 lead before collapsing in the final 20 minutes.
