The Florida Panthers, led by coach Paul Maurice’s strategic adjustments, defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Monday night to secure their first victory of the season.
Key Line Change Pays Off
Sam Reinhart, promoted to the top line, scored twice, helping the Panthers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, fend off a late comeback from the Devils.
“We wanted to win, and we did everything we could, and obviously, they played well in the third period,” said Panthers center Aleksander Barkov. “We didn’t shut them completely down, but we got enough goals to defend the lead.”
Strong Performances from the Panthers
Carter Verhaeghe and Niko Mikkola also found the net, while Matthew Tkachuk contributed two assists. The Panthers, who had previously lost to Minnesota and Winnipeg, saw Sergei Bobrovsky make 31 saves despite a strong third period from the Devils.
“We got to be a very close group last year,” Maurice said, reflecting on the team’s chemistry. “Then you have seven new guys show up. So, we’re putting them all together, but we’re starting to have some fun with that.”
Devils’ Late Surge
Bobrovsky, who had maintained a shutout into the third period, eventually allowed goals from Erik Haula, Michael McLeod, and Jesper Bratt, bringing the Devils within one goal with 2:23 remaining.
“He made some great saves, for sure. At the end of the game, he made some big saves,” Devils forward Tyler Toffoli said. “It would have been nice to tie it up and give us a chance to get two points. But obviously, we fell short.”
Vanecek’s Efforts and Reinhart’s Milestones
Despite 26 saves from Vitek Vanecek, the Devils couldn’t close the gap. Reinhart, who had been moved up to the top line, scored on deflections in front of the net, both in the first period and on a third-period power play, marking his career’s 200th and 201st goals.
“He’s one of the smartest players in the league, and he has this stick that suits him well in front of the net,” Barkov said. “He can do whatever he wants with that, touches pucks, makes plays, and is just one of the smartest players I’ve seen.”
Frustration from Devils’ Coach
Devils coach Lindy Ruff expressed frustration with his team’s performance, marking their third consecutive slow start.
“Yeah, to a man we all should be,” Ruff said. “Players, coaches, we all should be angry at ourselves.” He warned of impending changes unless the team plays with more urgency from the beginning.
Game Highlights
- Maurice coached his 1,769th game, surpassing Joel Quenneville for third all-time among NHL coaches.
- Injuries have sidelined Panthers forward Sam Bennett and defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour this season.
- RW Justin Sourdif, a third-round draft pick in 2020, made his NHL debut for the Panthers.
- The loss prevented coach Ruff from securing his 100th win with New Jersey. Bratt and Haula each recorded a goal and an assist.
Upcoming Matches
- Panthers: Return to Sunrise, Florida, to host Toronto on Thursday, beginning a four-game homestand.
- Devils: On Friday night, travel to Long Island to face the New York Islanders.
