NEW JERSEY DEVILS NOTES:
LAST GAME
New Jersey Devils 1 Carolina Hurricanes 4
(21-9-2—44 PTS) (20-6-6—46 PTS)
Three Stars: 1. P. Kochetkov 2. J. Slavin 3. J. Kotkaniemi
Goals:
CAR: J. Kotkaniemi, J. Staal, T. Teravainen (SHG), S. Noesnen
SCORE 1
ST 2
ND 3
RD OT SO FINAL
Carolina 1 2 1 – – 4
DEVILS 0 0 1 – – 1
INJURIES/ILLNESS
PLAYER INJURY OUT SINCE GAMES MISSED
Jonathan Bernier – LTIR Lower-body, hip 2021-22 32
Ondrej Palat I.R. Lower-body Retro-active to Oct. 24 26
Nate Bastian Upper-Body Nov. 27 10
2022-23 Total Man-Games Lost to Injury/illness: 90
TRANSACTIONS
DATE PLAYER ACTION
12/1 Nico Daws Reassigned to Utica
12/2 Andreas Johnsson Recalled from Utica
12/13 Mackenzie Blackwood Assigned to Utica (conditioning loan)
12/19 Akira Schmid Reassigned to Utica
Mackenzie Blackwood Recalled from conditioning loan, Utic
WHAT TO KNOW
Wednesday’s contest vs Florida marks the second half of a back-to-back set, while the team suffered a 4-1 loss at Carolina on Tuesday. The Devils are 1-2-1 in first games played and 2-1-0 in second games played for back-to-back sets this season. The last time the Devils experienced six consecutive games without a win was the final six games of the 2021-22 season from Apr. 21 to Apr. 29 (0-4-2). The last time that the Devils witnessed seven consecutive games without a win was Jan. 23, 2022, to Feb. 7, after the team experienced a seven-game losing streak (0-7-0). After Tuesday’s loss, Jersey’s team allowed a shorthanded goal against for the second time this season, last: Oct. 24, vs WSH, in a 6-3 loss at the Rock. After Tuesday’s loss, the Devils suffered their second regulation defeat on the road for 2022-23, and the team’s two losses on the road in regulation are tied with Vegas (14-2-2) as the fewest in the NHL, per Dec. 20. The Devils entered the third period trailing by a score of 3-0 on Tuesday, and are now 1-8-0 when trailing after two periods of play this season. Tuesday marked the fifth time that the Devils allowed 20 shots or fewer in a game this season. The fewest shots that the Devils allowed in a game this season is 17, which was logged on Oct. 20, at NYI, in a 4-1 win. Jersey’s team is now 3-2-0 when allowing 20 or fewer shots in a game this season. Opponents have outscored Jersey’s team 24-12 over the current winless streak dating to Dec. 9, vs the New York Islanders (6-4, L). Yet, the team’s shots per game average still ranks fourth in the league since Dec. 9 at 35.5. Since Dec. 9, the team ranks fourth in the NHL for shots against per game at 26.7. After Thursday’s defeat, the team is now 3-1-1 when tied after two periods of play in a game this season. Prior to Dec. 9, the team’s goal for per game average was 3.69, which ranked fourth in the NHL. Jersey’s team is 19-2-2 when scoring three-or-more goals in a contest this season. The Devils are 11-8-1 vs the Eastern Conference and 6-3-0 vs the Atlantic Division for 2022-23. Side note…the Devils entered the month of December with a share of first place, or sole possession, atop the League standings for the first time in franchise history. Jersey’s team is 18-1-2 when Nico Hischier recorded a point in a game this season and 10-3-1 when Jack Hughes scored a goal in a game for 2022-23. The Devils have allowed 1, or fewer, goals against nine times this season in a game. Jersey’s team allowed one, or fewer goals against, in a game just eight times all of last season.
2022-23 TEAM STATS
RECORD ON DAYS OF THE WEEK
The Devils record on Wednesday in 2022-23…0-1-0…at home: 0-1-0…road: 0-0-0
Record in night games in 2022-23…18-9-2…home: 8-7-1…road: 10-2-1
Record in day games in 2022-23…3-0-0…home: 2-0-0…road: 1-0-0
2022-23 Alternate jersey record…3-1-0
RECORD WHEN SCORING FIRST
Scoring first…14-5-1…Trailing first…7-4-1
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
Overall: 3-3-1
First game: 1-2-1 | home: 0-1-0 | road: 1-1-1
Second game: 2-1-0 | home: 1-1-0 | road: 1-0-0
AROUND THE RINK THE RINK
On Wed., Dec. 28, the Devils celebrate Pride Night the Rock. Fans will have the opportunity to get involved and support the cause with various fundraising activities and more.
VS THE SUNSHINE STATE
The Devils and Florida meet for the second of three matchups this season (0-1-0):
Next: Mar. 18, at FLA, 6:00 P.M.
The Devils were 1-1-1 vs Florida last season.
The last time that the Devils won a season series vs Florida was 2018-19 (2-0-1). Side note…Head coach Lindy Ruff was an assistant coach for Florida from 1993-94 to 1996-97, while Executive Vice President, General Manager, Tom Fitzgerald played for Florida from 1993-94 to 1997-98. Associate coach Andrew Brunette completed his first stint as an NHL head coach in an interim role with Florida last season and was nominated for the 2021-22 Jack Adams Award.
ALL-TIME vs THE CATS
Record: 56-34-7-7
Home: 33-16-3-2
Road: 23-18-4-5
DID YOU KNOW…
The most goals in franchise history earned in a single game vs Florida is seven, twice, last earned on Nov. 9, 2021, in a 7-3 win. The most goals that the Devils allowed in a single game vs Florida is seven, which occurred on Apr. 2, 2022, in a 7-6 OT loss. The most shots that Jersey earned in a single game vs Florida is 50, which occurred on Mar. 23, 2004, in a 4-3 win. The most shots that the Devils allowed in a single game vs the Cats is 47, which occurred on Apr. 10, 1994, in a 2-2 at Florida. The last time the Devils shut out the Panthers was on Jan. 20, 2010, in a 2-0 win (M. Brodeur, 22 saves). Florida has never shut out the Devils in a regular-season contest.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE .
Fri. Dec. 23, vs BOS, 7:00 P.M.
Wed., Dec. 28, vs BOS, 7:30 P.M.
Fri. Dec. 30, at PIT, 7:00 P.M.
Sun. Jan. 1, vs CAR, 3:00 P.M.
DHN QUIZ QUESTION
While the Devils eliminated Florida twice from playoff contention all-time, the Devils have eliminated the Flyers and one other opponent three times which is the most in franchise history vs any opponents. Can you name the other opponent?
LAST TRADE
The last time that the Devils and Florida executed a trade was on Mar. 1, 2017, when the Devils acquired Shane Harper in exchange for Reece Scarlett.
FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES;
BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT
- F Anthony Duclair | Games Missed: 33
- F Anton Lundell | Games Missed: 9
- D Radko Gudas | Games Missed: 8
- F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 8
- F Chris Tierney | Games Missed: 3
- F Aleksander Barkov | Games Missed: 1
Total Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 97
LAST GAME
Panthers 3, Bruins 7– Dec. 19 – TD Garden
FLA Goals: Reinhart (12), E. Staal (2), Verhaeghe (17)
BOS Goals: Clifton (3), Carlo (1), Coyle (9), Pastrnak (21-PPG), Krejci (10), Bergeron (11, 12-PPG)
FLA Goalie: Knight (L) – 19 Saves
BOS Goalie: Ullmark (W) – 36 Saves
FLA Shots: 39
BOS Shots: 26
Notes: Sam Reinhart recorded two points (1-1-2), extending his goal/point streak to four games (5-3-8), tied for the longest goal streak of his career and the longest on Florida this season…Reinhart’s goal marked his 400th NHL point…Carter Verhaeghe posted two points (1-1-2), extending his point streak to three games (2-2-4)…Brandon Montour notched an assist, extending his point streak to four games (1-3-4)…Gustav Forsling produced an assist for his second point in as many games (1-1-2)…Eetu Luostarinen logged an assist for the second consecutive game…FLA PP: 0-3, FLA PK: 2-4
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
- Dec. 19: F Givani Smith acquired from DET in exchange for D Michael Del Zotto
- Dec. 15: F Aleksi Heponiemi recalled from Charlotte (AHL)
- Dec. 14: G Alex Lyon loaned to Charlotte (AHL)
PANTHERS vs. DEVILS
ALL-TIME vs. NJD: 41-48-7-8
ALL-TIME HOME vs. NJD: 23-18-4-5
2022-23 vs. NJD: 1-0-0
CATS STATS
- 11 different Panthers skaters have recorded a game-winning goal this season.
- Three different Cats (Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett) have registered over 100 shots on goal in 2022-23.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Panthers return to FLA Live Arena tonight where they own an 8-4-3 record for a .633 points percentage. Since Jan. 1, 2022, Florida’s .743 points percentage (26-8-3) and 28.7 power-play success rate at home each rank fourth among NHL clubs, and their 4.41 goals per game at home over that span leads all teams. Seven different Panthers have produced at least 10 points at home this season led by Matthew Tkachuk (7-13-20 in 13GP), including three (Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and Brandon Montour) averaging at least a point per game. Spencer Knight owns a 4-2-2 home record this season with a .920 save percentage.
CATS AND DEVILS
The Panthers and Devils face off for the second time in the past five days, with Florida taking a 4-2 victory at Prudential Center on Dec. 17. Sam Reinhart tallied two goals, Aaron Ekblad notched two assists, 10 different Cats recorded a point and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 of 32 Devils shots against (.932 SV%) in the win. Florida has won each of its past three matchups against New Jersey and are 5-1-0 in their past six matchups. The Panthers are 7-1-0 over their past eight home games against the Devils dating to April 11, 2015.
THE TALE OF THE TAPE
Florida has produced the most shots on goal per game overall (37.1) and at home (37.3) of any team this season, and New Jersey ranks second in overall shots per game (35.1). Florida also leads the league in five-on-five goals (78) while New Jersey ranks second (77).
BOOMIN’ BLUELINE
21 of Florida’s goals this season have come from defensemen, tied for the second-most goals by d-men among NHL teams this season behind NYI (23). Florida’ 83 points by blueliners also ranks second through games played Dec. 19, behind SJS (85).
CHUCKIE’S CHEESE
Matthew Tkachuk posted his team-leading 14th multi-point game (1-1-2) Dec. 13 vs. CBJ. He also posted his third plus-four rating in the game, the most of any NHL skater this season. Tkachuk posted at least a point in four straight games from Dec. 1-8 (2-5-8), his third point streak of at least four games in 2022-23. He leads Florida with 39 points (14-25-39) this season. His 37 points through his first 25 games in 2022-23 were both the most by any Panthers skater through their first 25 games with the franchise and the most by any Panthers skater through their first 25 games of a season in franchise history. The Scottsdale, Ariz. Native also paces the Cats in assists (25), PIMs (45), points per game (1.30), even-strength points (27), power-play points (12) and shots on goal (110).
Most Points by a Panthers Skater Through first 25 Games with the Franchise
- Matthew Tkachuk 2022-23 37 Points (13-24-37)
- Pavel Bure 1998-99 to 1999-00 30 Points (21-9-30)
- Kris Versteeg 2011-12 28 Points (12-16-18)
Most Points by a Panthers Skater Through First 25 Games of a Season
- Matthew Tkachuk 2022-23 37 Points (13-24-37)
- Pavel Bure 1999-00 34 Points (21-13-34)
- Jonathan Huberdeau 2019-20 31 Points (10-21-31)
BARKOV COUNTY
Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov notched an assist Dec. 17 at NJD for his third point of his past three games (1-2-3). He posted two points (1-1-2) Dec. 13 vs. CBJ for his sixth multi-point game this season and 150th multi-point game of his career, and logged a plus-three rating. He has registered 22 points (5-17-22) over 25 games in 2022-23, leading Florida with a 56.5 faceoff win percentage. His five multi-assist games are tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the most on Florida this season. Barkov sits at 66 career power-play goals, tied with Scott Mellanby for the most in Panthers history. Over his past 10 games played, Barkov has produced 11 points (3-8-11). Barkov is also two even-strength goals away from surpassing Jonathan Huberdeau (150) for the franchise record.
MONTOUR OF DUTY
Brandon Montour has produced at least one point in each of his past four games (1-3-4), his longest point streak of the season. He leads Panthers blueliners in goals (6), assists (20) and points (26) this season, and his 26 points tied for the eighth-most among NHL defensemen following games played Dec. 19. He notched an assist Dec. 17 at NJD and led all skaters with five blocked shots, tied with Marc Staal for the most by a Panthers skater in a game this season. Montour skated in his 400th NHL game Dec. 10 at TBL. His 25 points through his first 30 games this season were the fourth-most points by a Panthers defenseman through 30 contests in a season. With his assist Nov. 28 at EDM, he surpassed Aaron Ekblad (22 GP, 2021-22) for the fewest games to reach the 20-point mark in a season among Panthers blueliners in club history. The Brantford, Ontario native’s seven points from Nov. 6-9 tied Bryan McCabe (1-6-7, March 3-6, 2010) for the most points in a two-game span by a Panthers defenseman in club history. He matched his career high with four points (1-3-4) Nov. 6 at ANA, also tying the franchise record for single-game points by a defenseman. His three game-winning goals are the most on the Panthers in 2022-23.
‘HART OF GOLD
Forward Sam Reinhart posted two points (1-1-2) Dec. 19 at BOS for his second consecutive multi-point game and sixth of the campaign. He has also tallied a goal in each of his past four games (5-3-8), tied for the longest goal streak of his career and tied for the longest on Florida this season. Reinhart’s goal Dec. 19 at BOS marked his 400th NHL point. His 401 points are the third-most of any skater selected in the 2014 NHL Draft. He logged his second multi-goal outing (2-0-2) Dec. 17 at NJD, including his team-leading sixth power-play goal. Reinhart registered a season-high three points (1-2-3) Dec. 13 vs. CBJ and posted a plus-four rating, tied for the best by a Panthers skater this season. He notched an assist Dec. 8 vs. DET and posted a season-high seven shots on goal, and he logged at least one point in five consecutive games (2-5-7) from Nov. 23-Dec. 1, tied for the longest point streak on Florida this season. Reinhart scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games from Nov. 15-19, behind only Anthony Duclair and Evgenii Dadonov (4 games each) for the longest PPG streak in franchise history.
Most Career Points, Players Drafted in 2014
- Leon Draisaitl 670 (275-395-670)
- David Pastrnak 547 (261-286-547)
- Sam Reinhart 401 (179-222-401)
MR. CARTER
Forward Carter Verhaeghe logged two points (1-1-2) Dec. 19 at BOS to extend his point streak to three games (2-2-4). He leads Florida with 17 goals and 13 even-strength goals (17-11-28 in 32GP). Verhaeghe’s 17.2% shooting percentage is the highest on Florida among skaters with at least 10 games played this season. He has posted at least one point (5-4-9) in seven of his past nine games, and he skated in his 200th NHL game Dec. 8 vs. DET. He tallied his fourth power-play goal of the season and matched his career high with eight shots on goal Dec. 6 at WPG, and he produced his team-leading fifth multi-goal game Dec. 3 at SEA. His goals came :26 seconds apart, tied for the third-fastest two goals scored by one player in franchise history. He posted a point in four straight games from Nov. 3-9 (4-3-7). The Toronto, Ontario native’s nine total multi-point games and 22 even-strength points each rank second on Florida. Just 32 games into the season, Verhaeghe is seven goals away from matching his career high in goals (24 in 78GP, 2021-22).
EK’S GON’ GIVE IT TO YA
Aaron Ekblad led Florida with six shots on goal and 26:58 time on ice Dec. 19 at BOS. He notched two assists Dec. 17 at NJD, and he skated in his 574th NHL game Dec. 15 vs. PIT, surpassing Robert Svehla for most games played by a defenseman in franchise history and fifth-most overall. Ekblad also posted a plus-three rating against PIT. He notched his 202nd NHL assist to surpass Keith Yandle for second-most by a defenseman in franchise history and sixth-most by a Panthers skater Dec 8 vs. DET. He logged his 611th career blocked shot Dec. 6 at WPG, surpassing Dmitry Kulikov for the most blocked shots in franchise history (since the NHL began tracking in 2005-06). Ekblad logged his 200th NHL assist Nov. 29 at CGY to cap his point streak at five games (3-4-7 from Nov. 20-29), tied for the longest by a Panthers skater this season. He was the third blueliner to reach 200 assists with Florida. Ekblad notched his 199th career assist Nov. 28 at EDM for his 300th NHL point (101-198-299). He was the first Panthers defenseman to reach the mark with Florida and the first blueliner from the 2014 draft class to post 300 points. He scored his 100th career goal Nov. 23 vs. BOS and produced a season-high three points (1-2-3).
BENNY AND THE CATS
Forward Sam Bennett has logged 17 points (6-11-17) over his past 21 contests. He matched his career high with three assists Dec. 3 at SEA, and he logged his second multi-goal game of the season (2-0-2) Dec. 1 at VAN. He also produced three assists while skating in his 500th NHL game Nov. 17 vs. DAL. Bennett’s five third-period tallies are tied for the team lead with Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. He has registered eight multi-point games this season, the third-most on the team. The Holland Landing, Ontario native’s 101 shots on goal are tied for second-most on Florida and his 84 hits lead Florida forwards.
JUST THE TWO OF GUS
Defenseman Gustav Forsling has posted a point in each of his past two games (1-1-2). He scored his fifth goal of the campaign Dec. 17 at NJD. All five of his goals this season have come on the road, the most road tallies among Panthers defensemen in 2022-23. He notched his third multi-assist performance of the season Dec. 13 vs. CBJ. His first helper in the game represented his 100th NHL point. He scored a goal in consecutive games from Dec. 1-3. He has amassed 22 points (5-17-22) in 2022-23, including 18 even-strength points which are the most among Panthers defensemen. Forsling notched an assist in five straight games (0-6-6) from Nov. 12-20, the longest assist/point streak of his career. He also posted a four-game assist/point streak earlier this season (1-4-5, 4GP Oct. 15-21). He logged a career-high seven shots on goal Nov. 1 at ARI. His 101 total shots this season are tied for second-most on the Panthers.
WHAT ABOUT BOB?
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky started six consecutive games from Dec 8-17, posting a .923 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average over that span (since Dec. 8). He earned his 38th NHL shutout Dec. 13 vs. CBJ, stopping all 22 shots he faced in the game. He stopped a season-high 41 shots for a .953 save percentage Nov. 15 vs. WSH. His 41 saves were his most since stopping 42 shots against Jan. 11 vs. VAN. Bobrovsky appeared in his 600th NHL game Nov. 5 at LAK, becoming the 53rd goaltender in league history to reach the mark. His 339 career wins were the most through a goaltender’s first 600 appearances in NHL history.
OH WHAT A KNIGHT
Goaltender Spencer Knight earned at least one point in six consecutive decisions (3-0-3) from Nov. 19-Dec. 1. He surrendered five goals over three starts from Dec. 1-6 for a .940 save percentage and 2.12 goals against average, the third-best SV% among goaltenders over that span. Knight appeared in his 50th NHL game Dec. 3 at SEA and earning his 30th NHL win Dec. 1 at VAN. His 49 games were the fewest games required to reach the 30-win mark with Florida in franchise history. Knight stopped all 40 Carolina shots he faced Nov. 9 vs. CAR to earn his third career shutout. The 21-year-old native of Darien, Conn., owned a 31-13-6 record over his first 50 NHL games.
SUPER STAAL BROS.
Eric and Marc Staal have combined for eight assists and 10 points (2-8-10) over Florida’s past 11 games. Eric has produced seven points (2-5-7) over that span. He scored his 443rd career goal Dec. 19 at BOS, matching Ilya Kovalchuk for the 66th-most in League history. Eric’s 443 tallies rank fifth among active skaters. Marc led Florida with a plus-three rating and four blocked shots Dec. 8 vs. DET, and Eric recorded a season-high six shots on goal Dec. 6 at WPG. The Thunder Bay, Ontario natives have combined for 2,371 total NHL games and 1,259 points.
GOTTA GO TO MO’
Nov. 15 vs. WSH marked Paul Maurice’s 1,700th game as an NHL head coach, becoming the fourth in League history to reach the mark. He earned his 783rd win as an NHL head coach Nov. 9 vs. CAR, surpassing legendary bench boss Al Arbour for sixth-most in League history. He is one of three coaches to earn at least 300 wins with two different franchises. He is 10 wins away from achieving his 800th NHL win as a head coach.
