The season obtained off to an excellent begin for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who went 3-0-0 on their preliminary homestand.
It has been a more durable begin to the street portion of their schedule, with a pair of losses to kick off a four-game journey.
The Panthers will look to get again on observe after they face New Jersey on Thursday within the Devils’ house opener at Newark, N.J.
Florida is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Detroit Pink Wings on Wednesday after opening the journey with a 5-2 setback in opposition to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. The Panthers will conclude their journey on Saturday in opposition to the Buffalo Sabres.
“I preferred our begin (Wednesday) higher than our final sport,” Florida coach Paul Maurice mentioned. “A bit sluggish generally getting the puck off our stick. We had an terrible lot blocked in right here (Wednesday).”
Brad Marchand is main the best way for the Panthers’ offense with three targets by way of 5 video games, and he and Anton Lundell every have 5 factors.
Marchand scored the lone purpose for Florida within the loss to Detroit to increase his level streak to 4 video games. All of his factors have come throughout that stretch after he was held off the scoresheet within the season opener.
“He is an superior asset for us,” ahead Eetu Luostarinen mentioned. “That is an incredible factor. The best way he works on daily basis, it has been good.”
Daniil Tarasov is anticipated to get the nod in purpose for the Panthers after Sergei Bobrovsky performed in opposition to the Pink Wings.
New Jersey, in the meantime, can be eyeing a 3rd straight win because it begins a stretch with out beginning goalie Jacob Markstrom. The 35-year-old veteran seemed to be shaken up with 21 seconds left within the Devils’ 3-2 win in opposition to the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday and didn’t observe on Wednesday.
Devils coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned Markstrom could be out “a few weeks.”
“I take into account it excellent news contemplating what had occurred,” Keefe mentioned. “I do not take into account it too critical at this level, however he’ll need to miss just a little little bit of time.”
Which means backup Jake Allen will get the nod as New Jersey returns house following a 2-1-0 season-opening street journey. Allen began the sport in opposition to the Blue Jackets and performed two intervals earlier than exiting the sport resulting from cramping. Markstrom changed him for the third interval.
“I really feel I am getting again to regular,” Allen mentioned. “It was an unlucky set of circumstances, however that is the sport we play.”
With Markstrom sidelined, the Devils recalled goalie Nico Daws from Utica of the AHL. The 24-year-old has appeared in 52 NHL video games, all for New Jersey, together with a career-high 25 video games in 2021-22.
He has gone 22-23-1 on the NHL degree with a 2.98 goals-against common and a .898 save proportion.
“Mentally for myself to know that I have been right here and accomplished it, I am a greater goalie now than I used to be in earlier years,” Daws mentioned. “Who’s to say I can not get higher. I’ve a number of confidence proper now. I like the place my sport’s at. I really feel good.”
Whereas it is not stunning to see the title “Hughes” on the high of the Devils’ scoring record, it is defenseman Luke Hughes and never his older brother, Jack, in that spot. The youthful Hughes leads the crew with 4 assists, along with his level complete tying Jesper Bratt for the crew lead.
–Subject Stage Media
