DEVILS (20-24-10) vs PANTHERS (29-20-6)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; Televised on MSG+
Head-to-Head:
Tonight's game is the second of three meetings between the two teams this season.
This season, the Panthers won the only meeting so far this season by a score of 6-4 back on October 14 at Prudential Center.
Pavel Zacha had three points in that game to lead the way for the Devils. Six different Panthers had two points while Brett Connolly had two goals for the Panthers.
Last season, the Devils defeated the Panthers twice and dropped one decision. Each team won a game in overtime.
Blake Coleman had three points (two goals, one assist) in three games to lead the Devils in scoring against Florida. Jonathan Huberdeau had two goals and six points in three games against New Jersey.
Devils team scope:
The Devils have picked up points in each of their last six games and haven't lost in regulation since January 18. Going back further, the last time the Devils lost in regulation at home was on January 4.
Kevin Rooney has four points in those six games (two goals, two assists) including a shorthanded goal and shorthanded assist. Pavel Zacha has five points (three goals) while Damon Severson and Kyle Palmieri lead the way with six points. Severson has picked up a point in each of the six games.
Panthers team scope:
The Panthers won six straight games heading into the NHL All-Star Break but coming out of it, they've struggled to find their game again. In the six games since, they only have one win (1-4-1). They're coming off a 4-1 loss last night in Philadelphia.
Jonathan Huberdeau leads the team in scoring with 68 points in 55 games. With 21 goals, Mike Hoffman is the team's leading goal scorer.
With goaltender Chris Driedger out due to injury, Sam Montembault could get the start in goal tonight. He has a 3.40 goals-against average and .889 save percentage with a 4-2-1 record in nine appearances.
By the Numbers:
The Devils are 7-8-3 against Atlantic Division opponents this season and 3-3-3 on home ice. Florida is 8-8-3 against the Metropolitan.
Devils penalty kill since November has moved up from 30th in the NHL to 16th. Since December 1st, the Devils lead the entire NHL in "net PK" which is their total power play goals allowed minus shorthanded goals for divided by penalty kills. That number is at 91.6% thanks to their league-leading eight shorthanded goals. Their actual PK is also quite good at 83.8%, ranking eighth.
Injury Updates:
Devils - Nico Hischier (lower body) is day-to-day; Sami Vatanen (lower body) is day-to-day
Panthers - Chris Driedger (lower body) is on IR; Brian Boyle (upper body) is day-to-day
-- Marc Ciampa, NewJerseyDevils.com