The Florida Panthers came close to humiliation when they let the New Jersey Devils come back, but the door closed in time for them to post a 4-3 win Monday night at Prudential Center.
Even though Sam Reinhart’s second goal of the game put them in trouble right at the start of the third period, the local heroes didn’t give up. The Devils scored three goals in a row to cut the deficit to one goal.
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The indiscipline cost the Panthers dearly, as they gave in twice while shorthanded, but Sergei Bobrovsky limited the damage in the encounter, in which New Jersey fired 14 shots. The Russian goalkeeper faced the goal 31 times and played like he did in the playoffs last spring.
Reinhart was the catalyst for Florida with two crucial errors. Carter Verhaeghe and Niko Mikkola also caused a stir.
Jesper Bratt and Erik Haula each had a goal and an assist in the loss.
Phillips makes the Flames pay
After five seasons with the pros, Matthew Phillips is finally getting a taste of the National League full-time. The diminutive right winger, a former member of the Calgary Flames, undoubtedly made the Alberta team regret giving up on his case by picking up two points against them in the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 win.
The 25-year-old scored his first Bettman goal by capitalizing on Sonny Milano’s perfect two-on-one pass. He was also an accomplice in Connor McMichael’s goal that secured the tie.
This game ended in a penalty shootout and Evgeny Kuznetsov was the only goalscorer of the session. Darcy Kuemper frustrated Jonathan Huberdeau, Yegor Sharangovich and Nazem Kadri in the shootout and finished the game with 38 saves.
Good evening to Reimer
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets were neutralized by the Detroit Red Wings and goaltender James Reimer, who pitched a shutout in a 4-0 win.
The 35-year-old veteran blocked 23 attempts from the local hero’s young attack, which defeated Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers five times on Saturday.
Because Elvis Merzlikins was ill, the Jackets had to rely on an inexperienced goalkeeper duo against the Wings. Spencer Martin failed to score four goals on 28 shots in front of the cage.
Michael Rasmussen, Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp scored their first goals of the season, as did defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. The latter opened his account in Detroit thanks to an excellent back pass from Quebecer Joe Veleno.