On November 14, 2024 at 7 PM EST, the New Jersey Devils will once again face the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers on the road at Amerant Bank Arena for the second time in three nights.
Leading from start to finish on Tuesday night, the Devils, in first place in the Metropolitan Division, delivered a resounding 4-1 loss to the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers.
On Thursday night, the 11-6-2 Devils are looking to repeat the feat and give the 11-4-1 Panthers another home loss. This is the second game of a tough ten-game stretch for the Panthers. The stretch includes two games against the NHL winningest team, the Winnipeg Jets, two against Carolina, and single games against Chicago, Colorado, Washington, and Toronto who is right behind the Panthers at 10-6-2 in the Atlantic Division.
The New Jersey Devils will start goalie Jacob Markstrom again on Thursday night. Markstrom was drafted by the Panthers 31st overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Thursday will be his 499th career game. He gave up one goal in 35 shots to his former team on Tuesday night.
Jack was born in Florida.
But Jack was #MadeInJersey.Congrats on 300, Jack! pic.twitter.com/GUFUeLSb15
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 13, 2024
Jack Hughes also earned his 300th career point in the win.
Devils Observations:
– Jacob Markstrom was the difference
– see point 1
– great team game
– bend don’t break stick to the system
– Luke Hughes best defensive game
– First period PK turning point
– best team game
– Jacob Markstrom #NJDevils— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) November 13, 2024
I think #NJDevils Luke Hughes is the fastest of the three brothers.
The points will come in bunches over time but his defensive play has been so good lately. That was on full display against the Florida Panthers. pic.twitter.com/InZ1p9M8nA
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) November 13, 2024
New Jersey Devils Holding On To Tight Metropolitan Division Lead
While Florida is in the midst of a tough ten game stretch, the New Jersey Devils are trying to maintain the division lead in a tight Metropolitan Division that has 11-4 Carolina, 10-4-1 Washington, and 9-4-1 New York (Rangers) right behind them.
The Devils have been resilient this season. After dropping four straight games where they were outscored 23-16, the Devils rebounded with six wins out of the last eight games.
Better defense and more disciplined hockey are the reasons the Devils have turned things around. It will be a statement win if the team can beat the Stanley Cup Champions twice in consecutive road games.