Panthers Drop Second Straight Game In 6-2 Loss to Devils

SUNRISE — The New Jersey Devils completed a two-game mini series sweep of the Florida Panthers on Thursday night, defeating the Panthers 6-2.

Dawson Mercer scored the game winning goal, while Jesper Bratt ended the night with a hat trick as the Devils picked up all four points on their road trip to Sunrise. 

Florida dropped consecutive games for just the second time this season, losing the past two contests following a seven game win streak. 

“You got to deal with it, you’re not going to let it go,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said of the last two losses. “If you don’t put a weight on it then it shouldn’t carry…You’re not going to love them all.”

New Jersey dominated special teams on Thursday, scoring three power play goals and one short handed empty netter.

“I thought [New Jersey] were better than we were,” Maurice added. “They were quicker, faster, a little sharper.”

Florida only found the back of the net twice, with goals from Jesper Boqvist and Sam Reinhart.

With his 13th goal of the season, Reinhart reclaimed the NHL goal scoring lead. Reinhart also leads the Panthers with 25 points on the season, 

The Panthers won’t have much time to sulk on this game as the NHL leading Winnipeg Jets come to town. Florida will host the Jets on Saturday night, before flying to Manitoba to complete the home-and-home. 

“We know who is coming into town, [they’re] the best team in the league right now,” said Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. “They are playing unbelievable hockey, so we have to be ready right away. It starts now.”

Panthers Notes

• Sam Bennett returned to action on Thursday after missing the previous game with an upper-body injury
• Each team had 17 total penalty minutes, with five power plays aside — Jonah Gadjovich also dropped the gloves for a second consecutive game
• F, Mackie Samoskevich and D, Adam Boqvist were healthy scratches
• Florida (11-5-2) remains atop the Atlantic Division with 23 points in 17 games, second in the East behind New Jersey 
• Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky lost his fourth game of the season (8-3-1) after winning in each of his past five starts