In a showdown that showcased New Jersey’s resilience, the Devils handed the Florida Panthers their first loss in eight games, winning 4-1 on Tuesday night. New Jersey’s well-rounded play and key saves from goalie Jacob Markstrom, paired with timely goals, helped end Florida’s impressive seven-game winning streak.
The Devils set the tone early with Jack Hughes finding the back of the net in the first period. However, Florida’s Sam Reinhart responded with his 12th goal of the season, keeping the Panthers in contention. The turning point came late in the second period when Timo Meier fired a go-ahead goal, pushing the Devils into a lead they would not relinquish.
Jacob Markstrom was outstanding in goal, making 34 crucial saves and keeping Florida’s high-powered offense at bay. This game marked Markstrom’s 498th career appearance, nearing the 500-game milestone—a feat only 80 goalies have reached in NHL history. Meanwhile, Florida’s Spencer Knight put in a solid effort with 20 saves but couldn’t keep up with New Jersey’s persistent attack.
Paul Cotter extended New Jersey’s lead to 3-1 with a goal early in the third period, capitalizing on a well-placed assist from Dougie Hamilton, who finished with two assists. With time winding down, Ondrej Palat secured the win with an empty-net goal. Jesper Bratt also played a key role, tallying two assists to complement the Devils’ offensive display.
New Jersey improved their record to an impressive 9-0-0 this season when leading after two periods, reflecting their ability to close out games. Across the NHL, teams that lead after 40 minutes have a near-perfect record of 181-4-15, underscoring the Devils’ strong finish.
The game featured a spirited brawl between Florida’s Jonah Gadjovich and New Jersey’s Brenden Dillon midway through the second period. In a 30-second exchange of blows, both players held each other’s jerseys with their left hands and traded punches with their right, bringing fans to their feet before Dillon eventually went down.
For Florida, this matchup was the first of a brutal 10-game stretch that includes two games against New Jersey, as well as clashes with top teams like Winnipeg, Carolina, and Colorado. Complicating matters, the Panthers were without forward Sam Bennett, who was a late scratch with a minor upper-body issue.
The Devils and Panthers will meet again on Thursday night in Sunrise, where Florida will look to bounce back and avenge the end of their winning streak. As the season unfolds, this matchup between two high-caliber teams promises plenty of excitement.
