BY: DAVID KOLB | @DAVIDKOLBMSG
NEW JERSEY DEVILS (4-2-2) @ FLORIDA PANTHERS(4-5-1)
GAME COVERAGE BEGINS AT 7 PM ON MSG+2
WINNING ON THE ROAD
The Devils finished their four-game homestand 3-0-1, grabbing seven of a possible eight points and are 4-0-1 on the ice in Newark this season. To start climbing the standings, the Devils must start winning games on the road as well, as they enter tonight’s tilt in Florida with a 0-2-1 record on the road.
TURNING IT AROUND IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Tonight is the second of three games against the Panthers this season. The Cats edged the Devils, 2-1 in overtime Oct. 13 at BB&T Center. The Devils are 1-3-1 in their last five games in Florida with their last win coming Oct. 11, 2014.
SPECIAL TEAMS SPOTLIGHT
The Devils’ penalty kill was a perfect 4-for-4 on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and is currently 29-for-33 (86.2 percent) this season, good for ninth overall in the NHL.
SCORING VS. THE PANTHERS
Several Devils have had success against the Panthers. Adam Henrique has four points (one goal, three assists) over his last four games against Florida, while P.A. Parenteau has two goals, one assist for three points over his last three games and Taylor Hall has seven points, including two goals and five assists in seven career games vs. the Panthers.
WOUNDED CATS
The Panthers have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. The early-season troubles can be attributed to the loss of three of their top-six forwards, including Jonathan Huberdeau (leg), Nick Bjugstad (broken hand) and Jussi Jokinen (lower body). Florida’s third and fourth lines have to begin to produce offensively for the Panthers to play consistently solid hockey.