Interim coach Travis Green will have to wait to get his first win at the helm of the New Jersey Devils after his team was beaten 5-3 by the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center.
Lindy Ruff's successor tried to quickly get the organization back on track at home, but fans were treated to the Nick Cousins show instead. The former Montreal Canadiens forward recorded his first double since January 18, 2020.
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It was the Panthers' little Panther who broke the ice early in the game. He struck again in the third period and was again served by Matthew Tkachuk. The latter received a third assist on the net from Evan Rodrigues on the power play.
Supported by Jack Hughes, who made a rare start on the wing, the Devils put up some resistance. The young American scored on the power play and became Colin Miller's accomplice midway through the third period.
Sam Reinhart scored his 45th goal of the year into an empty net.
Smith increases in value
In Pittsburgh, forward Reilly Smith scored three points in the Penguins' 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The name of the veteran, who won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights last spring, is generating a lot of conversation in transaction rumors. The Ontario native won't become a free agent until the summer of 2025, but his profile remains of interest to several teams.
Smith added a goal and two assists to his scoring record and totaled 29 points in 54 games this season. If the Penguins want to sell, he could be their second-most popular winger behind Jake Guentzel.
Jesse Puljujarvi failed to score in his first eight games with the Penguins and finally scored his first goal with the team. The 25-year-old right winger was alone against goalkeeper Jet Greaves in the first third and didn't miss his chance by hitting him under the glove.
The fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft fought hard to return to the National Hockey League and initially enjoyed a professional trial contract in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After proving himself with the school club, he signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh in early February.
Tristan Jarry was solid in front of the cage for the Penguins with 33 saves.