The New Jersey Devils are scheduled to return to New Jersey on Thursday, October 15, and to take on the reigning Stanley Cup champion, Florida Panthers, on their home ice at the Prudential Center. Going into this game, the Devils have a record of 2-1-0, while the Panthers have a record of 3-1-0.
New Jersey won their last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2, playing exceptionally well. Some highlights of the game were the Devils’ powerplay, which has only been getting stronger with each game. The Devils’ penalty kill is also doing exactly what it is intended to do, as the interchanging units of the penalty kill were able to successfully kill off a four-minute penalty in the first period.
Meanwhile, Florida fell to the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, 5-2, due to a slow start and an inability to capitalize on many different scoring chances. Even though the Panthers did seem to have a tough game against the Flyers on Monday, it would be unwise for New Jersey to underestimate them.
This game is going to be an aggressive one, as many of the past games between these two teams have been. Hard forechecking and fights have been common to see, especially with the known fighters of both teams, Brenden Dillon and Sam Bennett.
Some players that Florida should take note of going into this game are Dawson Mercer and Arseny Gritsyuk. Mercer recorded two goals in the game against the Blue Jackets. Without him and his two goals, the team would’ve most definitely struggled more than usual. Meanwhile, Gritsyuk has recorded an assist in each game he’s played in so far, which proves his chemistry is already excelling with the rest of the team.
Some lethal players the Devils need to be on the lookout for are Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. Reinhart has recently stepped up offensively and is expected to have a strong season. Verhaeghe is expected to have a bounce-back season; on the other hand, that expectation seems to be coming true.
All the different pieces of the puzzle for both teams will be key to either team’s victory Thursday night. To figure out who ends up winning and taking the two points home with them, tune in at 7 p.m. to ESPN.
