The New Jersey Devils hosted the Stanley Cup Champions, Florida Panthers, on Thursday, October 16th at the Prudential Center, as they celebrated their home opener with a 3-1 win.
At the start of the first period, Jack Hughes won the faceoff against Evan Rodrigues, giving the Devils their first advantage. At 1:59, just nearly two minutes in, Evan Rodrigues took a snap shot and gave the Panthers their first goal of the night. Brad Marchand, a former Boston Bruin, picked up his third assist of the season, along with Seth Jones. The Devils were met with Jesper Boqvist, who was once a Devil.
The first penalty of the night for the Devils was called against Luke Hughes for tripping against Uvis Balinskis. This was a rough start to the Devils’ home opener as the team searched for its footing at home. Hughes then received a second penalty against Eetu Luostarinen for stick holding, not the most ideal situation for the young defenseman at the time. The Panthers had also received a few penalties before the end of the first period. While the Devils went scoreless, they weren’t giving up. At the end of the first, the Panthers led 1-0.
Heading into the second period, Jack Hughes won the faceoff against Sam Bennett, just shortly after the referees made a call for icing. The second period was much more electric for the Devils, as Jack Hughes scored his first goal of the season, which included the first goal for the Devils at home. Hughes’ snapshot was on another level; his quick reaction and aim set the Devils up for success, tying the game 1-1. His goal was assisted by Jesper Bratt (3) and Timo Meier (2).
You just can’t be giving Jack that much space.#NJDevils | @Mikes_Amazing pic.twitter.com/PCaKVyZRUm
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 17, 2025
The thrill in the Prudential Center as fans roared, the team knew that they were home after a long-awaited offseason. Now that the Devils found their momentum, they were able to keep the Panthers from scoring for the remainder of the second period. Only dealing with an interference call on Jesper Bratt against Mackie Samoskevich.
The most exciting period yet, the third period commenced, and the game was still tied. Facing a penalty early in the third, Jesper Bratt was sent to the box for a two-minute hooking minor against Sam Bennett. Timo Meier scored his third goal of the season just over six minutes in. The tip-in goal with two credited assists went to Simon Nemec (2) and Brenden Dillon (2), putting the Devils up 2-1. Shortly after, Devils Captain Nico Hischier had a terrific wrist shot that gave the Devils a 3-1 lead. Dawson Mercer (2) received the assist. Mercer had a fantastic night, and it’s only the beginning. Extreme effort as he was Nico Hischier’s right-hand man on that goal. Without Mercer’s play, Hischier wouldn’t have had such a great setup. Nico Hischier is fast, reactive, and attentive. Closing out the third, the Florida Panthers had an attempt for one more goal. Although it was called off as no goal, the Panthers challenged the call, hoping for a better result. The final call was no goal, due to goalie interference. A very small, almost unnoticeable detail.
If you weren’t at the game, you could feel the energy through the television. This home opener crowd was one of the best yet. Numerous chants, smiles, and excitement buzzed through the Prudential Center as the New Jersey Devils won their home opener, this being the team’s third consecutive win of the season.
The New Jersey Devils will next host the Edmonton Oilers at the Prudential Center on October 18th at 7:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more updates.
