newjerseydevils.com – Maybe the Devils just needed a game to get settled in at their new Newark digs.

New Jersey posted its first win at Prudential Center with a 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, after dropping its home opener against Ottawa last Saturday.

Now the Devils (4-6-1) eye back-to-back home wins when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight (7:00 p.m., FSN NY, WFAN 660 AM).

Jay Pandolfo's first career hat trick capped a four-goal third period for the Devils against the Lightining, and New Jersey ended a four-game winless streak.

The line of Pandolfo, John Madden and Dainius Zubrus recorded four goals and six assists, and New Jersey matched its season high for goals in a game.

"It's nice to get confidence," Pandolfo said. "We've obviously struggled this year. If we can keep doing that, and gain some confidence by scoring goals at home, it will be fun."

Pandolfo has collected a team-leading six goals, and Madden is next on the list after scoring his fifth against Tampa, to go with three assists.

Zubrus added two assists for his second multipoint effort in four games. Arron Asham and Zach Parise were the Devils' other goal scorers.

Martin Brodeur, who recorded his 497th win Wednesday, is 12-14-1 with seven ties and a 2.48 GAA in 35 starts against the Maple Leafs. They are one of only two teams (Vancouver) against which he has a losing record.

Brodeur is three wins from joining Patrick Roy (551) as the only goaltenders in history to have reached the 500-win plateau.

The Maple Leafs (5-5-3) enter tonight's game having won consecutive road games. Toronto is 7-1-1 in the past nine meetings overall, recording at least one point in seven straight visits to New Jersey.

The Leafs have been vulnerable defensively this season, allowing a league-high 52 goals. Vesa Toskala has four of the team's five wins but his 3.73 goals-against average ranks 41st in the NHL. Andrew Raycroft is 1-1-2 with a 3.67 GAA.

Offensively, Toronto ranks among the league's best with 47 goals.

NJD NOTES
Karel Rachunek is day-to-day with a sore groin... On Wednesday, New Jersey recalled defenseman Olli Malmivaara from Lowell (AHL).