The roster makeover for the Toronto Maple Leafs had an immediate impact on Tuesday evening.

Newcomers Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Fredrik Sjostrom and Dion Phaneuf each made a strong first impression in their debut performances for the Leafs, who managed to snap a six-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils at the Air Canada Centre.

With the addition of the three players, acquired in separate deals with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, there certainly was a buzz in the building that hasn't been felt for some time as another listless season has developed for the Leafs.

The crowd of 19,326 was appreciative that the Leafs' league-worst penalty killing was better. They also liked the fact that Toronto didn't blow a three-goal lead like it did last Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks, and that Giguere immediately improved the NHL's highest goals-against average (3.48) with his 30-save shutout.

Giguere became only the second Toronto goalie to record a shutout in his Leafs debut. The other was Ed Belfour, who beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0 on Oct. 10, 2002.

Giguere wasn't overworked and that was a good thing because he is rusty. He's a Stanley Cup-winning netminder that played more than 55 games for five straight seasons until last year, when Jonas Hiller shared the workload with him in Anaheim.

"Absolutely, the guys played well in front of me," Giguere said. "They blocked a lot of shots [17]. All together it was a good start."

The 32-year-old Giguere made only his 21st appearance this season. But if he can quickly find his form as he reunites with his mentor, Leafs goaltending coach Francois Allaire, all of a sudden the Leafs will have their best puck stopper since Belfour.

"I'm a little rusty," said Giguere, who admitted he was nervous before the game and winded afterwards. "I won't lie to you, my game needs some work. I'm looking forward to working hard and with Francois. Hopefully, it won't take long, but I was pretty tired at the end of the game."

Giguere was in position all game and got some help from the post when Devils centre Travis Zajac clanked a shot off the iron late in the second period. Leafs rookie Christian Hanson, who played centre, swept the loose puck out of harm's way. It was the Leafs fourth shutout of the season and the 33rd of Giguere's NHL career.

The 26-year-old Sjostrom, who chipped in an assist on his second shift, will no doubt help the Leafs hapless penalty killing. He was paired with linemate and fellow Swede Rickard Wallin as the lead forward duo on penalty kills. They got results as the Devils went 0-for-2 in man-advantage situations against Toronto.

"I'm surprised how comfortable I felt out there," Sjostrom said. "Penalty killing is all about communication. Richard and I talked a lot before the game, and on the ice, and we were able to work hard and get the job done. It was exciting."

Phaneuf a physical force

Phaneuf was a physical force in his first game with the Leafs. This was a welcome sight for Toronto coach Ron Wilson. He and general manager Brian Burke boasted in training camp that the Leafs would be much more difficult to play against this season. But that proved to be a bunch of baloney. Until Phaneuf arrived, anyway.

He rocked New Jersey forward Rob Niedermayer along the boards early in the game, then took a run at sniper Zach Parise a few shifts later in the New Jersey end. This prompted Devils defenceman Colin White to step in. He and Phaneuf tussled and the new Leafs blue-liner, who was paired with Francois Beauchemin, immediately won over his new teammates and fans with his ruggedness.

"He was sticking up for his teammate and that's part of the game," Phaneuf said of White. "I wasn’t going to say no.

"This was definitely a special game in my career — a big first game and the fans were good."

Wilson was impressed with the upbeat leadership and energy Phaneuf brought to the Leafs dressing room.

"You could hear him from the coaches' room, which is two hallways and three doors away," Wilson said.

But before the Toronto supporters begin to plan the parade route, it should be pointed out that the Devils are a struggling team right now with out Patrik Elias. They have won only three of their past 10 games and backup goalie Yann Danis was in goal to give 37-year-old workhorse Martin Brodeur a rest.

The Leafs enjoyed a 1-0 lead after first period and improved that advantage by two more in the second period. Nikolai Kulemin popped in Sjostrom's rebound for a 1-0 lead. Phil Kessel scored his third goal in the past two games and 18th of the season when he trailed on the play early in the second period.

Beauchemin blasted in his point shot on the power play with less than six minutes remaining in the second.