On Monday night, the New Jersey Devils comeback fell short against the Florida Panthers. The team was down 4-0 before scoring three goals in the third period en route to a 4-3 loss.
The Devils drop to 1-1-1 on the season, losing their last two games.
Recap
Period One
The Devils came out slow again, falling behind 2-0 in the first period. Sam Reinhart tipped a shot from Evan Rodrigues to kick things off. Following this, a whiffed clearance attempt from Brendan Smith led to a clean backhand goal by Carter Verhaeghe.
The Devils would get their chances in the first period, owning a 51.28 Corsi-for percentage (CF%). However, it wouldn’t matter as the Panthers still held a multi-goal lead after the first period.
Period Two
The second period started out well for the Devils as they had a few chances right off the bat, but they couldn’t capitalize. After both teams exchanged a penalty kill, the Panthers struck again. The Devils thought a play was offside and let up allowing Niko Mikkola to slip behind the defense and score an easy tap-in goal.
The Devils would get their chances following the goal, but overall played a very even second period with Florida. The Devils owned roughly both 54% of the shot attempt and the expected goals share (xG). The Panthers led 3-0 heading into the second break.
Period Three
The third period is where the Devils came alive. However, not before an early goal by Reinhart on the power play to make it 4-0. The Devils were buzzing in the third, and eventually they found the back of the net. Jack Hughes ripped a shot on the power play that Erik Haula tipped in front to get the Devils back within three. Just a few minutes later Michael McLeod had an open net on a rebound and buried it to make it a two goal game.
The Devils would then get a power play and with the goalie pulled and a broken Panthers stick would capitalize again. Jesper Bratt wired a shot over the glove of Bobrovsky to make it 4-3. With still about two and a half minutes left the game wasn’t over yet.
With about two minutes to go, Dawson Mercer was seemingly tripped heading into the offensive zone but there was no call in sight. After that vital no-call, the Devils got a couple more chances to no avail. The Panthers would hold on to take the game 4-3.
Game Notes
John Marino, Timo Meier Benched in Third Period
Head coach Lindy Ruff decided not to play defenseman John Marino and winger TImo Meier in the third period. During his postgame press conference coach Ruff told the media that the two penalties Meier took are what went into his benching.
Ruff did not disclose his reasoning for benching John Marino, but did go out of his way to say that the whole team needs to play better.
“TBH” Line Continues To Dominate
Despite scoring just one goal at five-on-five through the first three games, the line of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Tyler Toffoli has dominated. Not only does the trio have a combined 13 points through three games, but have also been controlling play.
Through just over 30 minutes of ice time, the line has a 63.29 CF% and 68.34 xG%. That’s some elite play from a trio that was dynamic in the pre-season.
Next Up
The Devils do not play again until Friday night. They will take on the New York Islanders at 7:30 pm ET.