Hellebuyck records fifth straight win

Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots to earn his first shutout with the New Jersey Devils.

The 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night marked a franchise record for Hellebuyck. He is the first goalie in New Jersey history to win each of his first five games with the club.

Hellebuyck joined the Devils last month after a trade from the Winnipeg Jets. The move followed his request to be dealt away from Winnipeg. The victory extended New Jersey's winning streak to nine of its last 10 games. The Devils now hold a 13-5-0 record.

Timo Meier scored the first two goals for New Jersey. He opened the scoring at 8:28 of the second period after a faceoff win in the offensive zone. Meier added the second goal with 7:16 left in the same period when a shot by Jack Hughes deflected off him and past Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz.

Nico Hischier scored on a power play at 9:49 of the third period to make it 3-0. Connor Brown added an empty-net goal later in the period. Hischier also recorded an assist on Meier's first goal. That assist moved him past 500 career points, making him the third Swiss-born player in NHL history to reach that milestone.

General manager Sunny Mehta said Sunday that Hellebuyck will not play in the Devils' next game. The team travels to Winnipeg for a matchup Tuesday night. Toronto, which has lost three straight games, hosts the Colorado Avalanche on the same night.