NEWARK, NJ — Determined to avoid a sweep, the New Jersey Devils unleashed a relentless offensive attack and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 at Prudential Center in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Before the game, the Devils learned that Toronto starting goalie Joseph Woll would remain sidelined with a knee injury. Sensing opportunity, New Jersey came out aggressively and outshot the Leafs 37-24.

Backup goalie Anthony Stolarz, who had starred in Toronto’s 5-1 Game 3 victory, couldn’t duplicate that performance as the Devils controlled the pace from the opening puck drop.

Brett Pesce and Stefan Noesen scored in the first period to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead. In the second, Nico Hischieradded the first of his two goals in the game before Auston Matthews finally got Toronto on the board midway through the period. The momentum didn’t last long for the Leafs, as Timo Meier restored the three-goal cushion before intermission.

Hischier added his second goal 5:55 into the third period to put the game out of reach and keep the Devils alive in the series.

Jacob Markström made 23 saves to earn Third Star honors, while Hischier’s two-goal performance earned him First Star recognition.

Game 5 shifts back to Toronto, where the status of Woll remains uncertain. If he’s unable to return, Stolarz will once again be tasked with trying to help the Maple Leafs close out the series.