Florida Panthers snap Devils' six-game home winning streak

On January 14, 2025, the Florida Panthers faced off against the New Jersey Devils in a fiercely contested NHL match at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The game was characterized by two scoreless periods, but the third period brought a thrilling change in momentum. Jesper Boqvist opened the scoring for the Panthers just 41 seconds into the third with his tenth goal of the season, assisted by Carter Verhaeghe and Nate Schmidt. This lead momentarily shifted the dynamics of the game. However, the Devils quickly responded as their captain, Nico Hischier, tied the game early in the third period at the 2:27 mark. Hischier's 20th goal came with help from Nathan Bastian and Timo Meier. The parity set the stage for an intense showdown that was ultimately decided in a shootout after the teams remained deadlocked through regulation time. In the shootout, Florida's Aleksander Barkov and New Jersey's Paul Cotter exchanged successful attempts before Anton Lundell became the decisive figure, securing victory by beating Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom. This shot not only marked a personal achievement for Lundell but also dealt a significant blow to the Devils, halting their impressive six-game home winning streak. Spencer Knight, the Panthers' goaltender, contributed notably by making 26 saves throughout the game, maintaining composure under pressure. The Panthers' victory was especially significant as it marked their first win against the Devils this season following two prior losses in November. Post-game, the standing implications were also important; the Panthers moved to within a point of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division standings, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Conversely, the Devils have performed well throughout the season, holding a record of 19-10-3 since suffering a 3-0 defeat to the Calgary Flames in early November. The outcome not only reflects the ongoing rivalry but also emphasizes the unpredictable nature of NHL games.