- The Matchup: Florida Panthers @ New Jersey Devils
- The Time: 7:00pm EST
- The Broadcast: MSGSN, Devils Hockey Radio
Last Devils Game
On Monday, the Devils defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 3-2. However, the victory did come with a cost, yet again (more on that later). Dawson Mercer scored 2 goals and Timo Meier put up his 2nd goal of the season, and his 2nd goal in his last 2 games. For this team to be successful (as with any team really), they need players besides their stars to contribute. While it’s early in the year, it’s nice to see the team not relying on Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico to carry them to a win every night. While the game gave them their 2nd win in a row, it did add another player to the ever growing, never ending injured list.
Last Florida Panthers Game
The Panthers lost to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night by a score of 4-1 in Detroit. The loss was the 2nd in a row for the Panthers and their 2nd game in a 5 game road trip. Game 3 of their trip is tonight against the Devils. A few things to watch would be that tonight’s game is a back to back for Florida. Will they be tired or will the Devils come out flat against a team looking to not lose 3 games in a row? Also, Sergei Bobrovsky played last night against Detroit, so I would expect Daniil Tarasov to get the start tonight.
Jake Allen? Nico Daws? EBUG?
Per Amanda Stein from the Devils’ practice yesterday, it looks like the lineup is the same as it was on Monday. The only change is that Daws is out on the ice and Markstrom is not. I’m not really sure who I think should get the start tonight. Chris makes a case here, as to why he thinks Daws should start tonight and Allen should start on Saturday. If I had to choose, I’d probably go with Nico too, just to give Allen an extra few days to rest. However, I think I would be fine with either goalie starting tonight. Florida is missing some big names, but at the end of the day, both of these teams were Stanley Cup finalists last year, and that’s for a very good reason….they are very good teams. With or without their stars.
The Now Daily Injury Plague Bug Updates
Well, the injury train keeps rolling on with 3 injuries through 3 games. So far the list of names hurt since game 1 of the season is Dadonov, MacEwen and Markstrom. Noesen is still out injured as well, but he was on the IR before the season started so he got hit by a different train I suppose. I know it’s a physical game. I know more injuries are going to happen. At the same time, I would really love to see them finish the game tonight without adding someone else to the list. For right now, as a fan, you just kind of have to shake your head and roll with it. For the Devils, next man up has to step up. In this case, Nico Daws.
Per Sheldon Keefe on Wednesday, it looks like Markstrom is going to be out for a couple of weeks.
Amanda Stein also provided an update on Stefan Noesen, MacEwen, Casey, Lammikko and Kovacevic.
Grimace’s Prediction and 2025-2026 Record Tracker
Grimace is in a bad mood yet again today. I am going to the game tonight, and he’s upset that I am not taking him with me. I told him, I’m not spending money on a ticket for a piece of plastic, which did not sit well with him. He said he would share my seat with me, but I told him he’s going to need to watch it on TV as he usually does.
Fear not again my fellow Devils Nation members, for in spite of his disappointment at not being able to attend the game, Grimace has still been kind enough to let it be known that the Devils will win tonight for their first 3 game win streak of the season.
Grimace’s 2025-2026 Season Prediction record currently stands at 3-0-0 (yes he counts the preseason game).
Your Take
The obvious thing that I’d like to see tonight (and every night) is a win. However, they aren’t going to go 81-1 on the season, so I can’t expect that every night. With that being said, as mentioned above, win or loss, I just want to see them finish a game without anyone getting injured. Normally that wouldn’t be a big ask, but with how things have been going so far, maybe it is too much to ask. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thanks for reading!