Devils defeat Panthers to end losing streak

NEWARK, N.J. -- Cory Schneider made 32 saves to help the New Jersey Devils end a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center on Saturday.

Damon Severson and Kyle Palmieri scored for the Devils (10-4-2). The loss ended a five-game winning streak by the Panthers against the Devils, including two straight here.
"It's a game we had to have," Schneider said. "We got the lead, hung on and it's good to get back on track. I felt pretty good. Maybe I wasn't as settled and efficient in the crease as I usually am, but I felt my battle level, in finding the puck and working hard, was better."
WATCH: [All Panthers vs. Devils highlights]
The win was the first for Schneider in his past four starts (1-2-1).
Nick Bjugstad scored, and James Reimer made 19 saves for the Panthers (5-9-2), who are 1-4-2 in their past seven games.
"I thought we had our chances but just couldn't find the back of the net," Bjugstad said. "You've got to find ways to score in these types of games. We knew [Schneider] would be good in net, but we've just got to find ways to score."
Florida outshot New Jersey 33-21, including 17-4 in the third period.
"I think shots are there but you have to look at quality chances," Devils coach John Hynes said. "For us it wasn't we were on our heels or sitting back, it was just they had more shots."
Panthers coach Bob Boughner was pleased with the effort. Florida won 4-1 at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday, when it had a 31-25 shots advantage.
"I'm happy with our effort and execution, and thought we deserved better, but Schneider was the difference," Boughner said. "In my mind we've played six great periods the last two games. I'm not disappointed in how we played, just disappointed in not getting two points."

The Panthers finished 0-for-4 on the power play; the Devils were 1-for-2.
New Jersey took a 2-0 lead at 4:58 of the second period when Palmieri scored with 26 seconds left on a two-man advantage with Connor Brickley (interference) and Micheal Haley (tripping) in the penalty box. Palmieri took a pass from Will Butcher at the top of the left circle and scored over the left shoulder of Reimer.
"It felt good to contribute," Palmieri said. "[Butcher] made a nice play to get it over and put it in a good spot for me to shoot. I think our team was getting a little down on ourselves. We weren't getting the results we wanted, but this is a good way to propel us into the weekend."
The power-play goal was the first in six games for New Jersey, ending an 0-for-11 slump.
Bjugstad made it 2-1 when he put in his rebound past Schneider at the right post 7:20 into the second.
Severson gave the Devils a 1-0 lead when his shot from the right circle deflected off the right skate of Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle 5:59 into the first period. Jimmy Hayes won the face-off back to Severson, and Brian Boyle provided the screen.
"I guess you get lucky when a goal like that goes in off a guy," Severson said. "I think it was going a little bit wide but [I] just got a good bounce. I'll take the goal, for sure."

Goal of the game

Palmieri's game-winner 4:58 into the second period.

Save of the game

Schneider's save on Jonathan Huberdeau off a rebound 14:45 into the first period.

Highlight of the game

Devils defenseman Steven Santini's body check of Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov 15:32 into the second period.

They said it

"I think we played a fast hockey game against a fast team. I thought we had good possession time, we forced turnovers on our forecheck, and didn't allow a lot off the rush so there's a lot of good things. It's just a work in progress and we just have to keep getting better every day. If we play this way on a nightly basis, we'll get our share of points." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner
"There are the odd high-scoring games [around the League], but there are a lot of 3-2, 2-1 [games]. I think it's that time of year. You're playing more games and have less energy to score goals but I think teams are getting their systems down, guys are in a groove and defending better. You need your goalie to make a few saves. That's the difference in this League." -- Devils goalie Cory Schneider

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Need to know

Panthers forward Derek MacKenzie did not return after sustaining a lower-body injury with 11:04 left in the second period and will be re-evaluated Sunday. ... Florida forward Vincent Trochek, who had his four-game goal streak end, won 11 of 17 on face-offs and played a game-high 26:33. ... Santini had a game-high four hits.

What's next

Panthers: Host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-F, FS-SW+, NHL.TV)
Devils: At the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, NBCSCH, NHL.TV)