March 3, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) makes a save on Florida Panthers left winger AJ Greer (10) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Image Dougie Hamilton had a goal and an assist, and Jack Hughes and Connor Brown each had two assists in the New Jersey Devils’ 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday in Newark, New Jersey.
The Devils are on a two-game winning streak, but remain right next to last place in the Eastern Conference. Florida is just one point ahead of New Jersey and nine points ahead of the last-place New York Rangers. That’s because the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers face long odds to return to the playoffs.
Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Dawson Mercer and Simon Nemec scored the other goals for the Devils.
Jacob Markstrom started 32 games this season, won 17, and stopped 20 of 21 shots.
Hamilton has 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in his last 20 contests. The veteran defenseman has been rumored to be a trade candidate as the NHL’s trade deadline approaches on Friday.
The Panthers are on a three-game losing streak and are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games.
Anton Lundel scored Florida’s only goal and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 of 31 shots.
The Devils had several dangerous scoring chances early in the first period and finally broke through at 12:10. Gritsyuk used Hughes as a decoy during a 2-on-1 rush, and Gritsyuk took the shot himself and scored.
At 14:37 of the first period, Lundell tied the game with his 15th goal of the season and 200th career NHL point. Evan Rodriguez’s point shot hit Lundel in front of the goal, and Lundel quickly readjusted and converted a close-range shot.
Hamilton restored New Jersey’s lead 1:35 into the second period. After Hughes sent a shot off the boards, the puck was redirected into a position where Hamilton was able to bury the rebound.
Glass’s crafty tip-in led to the Devils’ next goal at 8:13 of the second frame. Glass’ goal came just seconds after Bobrovsky made a fantastic save on Jesper Bratt’s chin-in attempt, and the Devils continued to apply offensive pressure.
New Jersey went into defensive lockdown mode in the third period, outscoring Florida by 12-2 in the final frame. Mercer and Nemec each had empty net goals in the final four minutes of the game.
–Field level media
