Venue & Game Info
Location: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT (4:00 PM PDT)
Broadcast: ESPN+, MSGSN, Bally Sports Florida
Team Recent Form
Florida Panthers: Enter with momentum after a strong offensive showing, averaging 2.8 goals per game. Their power play has been lethal, converting at 31.6% (6-for-19), ranking among the league’s best.
New Jersey Devils: Coming off a 3–2 win over Columbus, highlighted by Dawson Mercer’s two-goal performance. Devils have an even goal differential (11 GF, 11 GA) through three games.
Injury Report
Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk (groin) and Brenden Dillon (neck) were preseason concerns but are probable. No new injuries reported.
Devils: Nico Hischier (lower body), Jesper Bratt (shoulder), Jack Hughes (shoulder), and Luke Hughes (shoulder) were all listed as probable for season start. No major absences expected.
Player Matchups
Aleksander Barkov (FLA): Two-way anchor, key in neutralizing Jack Hughes.
Matthew Tkachuk (FLA): Physical presence and power-play catalyst.
Jack Hughes (NJD): Dynamic playmaker, 70 points in 62 games last season.
Jesper Bratt (NJD): 88 points last season, elite distributor.
Goaltending: Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) vs. Vitek Vanecek (NJD, projected). Bobrovsky’s consistency vs. New Jersey’s structured defense will be pivotal.
Series History
First meeting of the 2025–26 season.
Last season, the teams split their two matchups, with both games decided by one goal.
Betting Trends
Florida: 3-0 when scoring 3+ goals; power play among league leaders.
New Jersey: 2-0 when holding opponents under 3 goals.
Over has hit in 2 of Florida’s 5 games; Devils trending toward tighter contests.
Game Odds
Florida Panthers 5.5
New Jersey Devils – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 15, 2025
