Blake's magic moment lifts Leafs to win over Devils

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-17 16:27

TORONTO - Jason Blake produced a magical piece of skill to score the shootout winner and lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake (55) spins and scores on New Jersey Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen during the overtime shoot-out of their NHL hockey game in Toronto December 16, 2008. [Agencies]

Blake moved in close and stopped in front of Devils goalie Scott Clemmensen before spinning round and slipping a backhand past him in the fourth round of the shootout to secure his team's third win in a row.

"It (shootouts) has been tough for me, so I figured what the heck, may as well try something different," Blake told reporters. "It worked so I'm happy with it.

"It's just great to be out there and to be counted on by your team mates in a situation like that. I'm glad I was able to come through for them."

Brian Rolston fired a shot wide past Vesa Toskala as the Leafs earned their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Toronto coach Ron Wilson said Blake's shootout move was one he has practised.

"He's either going to be a hero or bum with a play like that," Wilson said. "A lot of things can happen when you try and make a play like that.

"The puck looked like it was on his stick like glue. It was unbelievable, fun to watch especially since he scored."

It was the second straight loss for the Devils but just their third in 12 games as Clemmensen, who played for the Leafs last season, continues to play well deputising for the injured Martin Brodeur.

"It was a lot of fun to come back here and get a chance to play," Clemmensen said. "I just wish we could have had a better result tonight."

Michael Rupp and Zach Parise scored for the Devils while Nik Antropov and Jeremy Williams netted for the surprising Leafs, who are 12-12-6 and just three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"If .500 is considered success, well that's just the line of mediocrity for me," Wilson said. "What I like seeing is some of our young players stepping up and being big contributors to our team. That is encouraging."

New Jersey (16-10-2) remained seventh in the East. Clemmensen and Toskala both made 27 saves in regulation and overtime.

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