RECAP: Panthers 2, Devils 1 (SO)

NEWARK, NJ – Good Knight.

Backstopping the Florida Panthers to a pair of important points on the road, Spencer Knight made 25 saves in a thrilling 2-1 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday.

Improving to 26-16-3, Florida now sits just one point out of first place in the Atlantic Division.

“Those wins help you cement a culture,” said head coach Paul Maurice after the game.

In the second day of a back-to-back and looking to mix things up, the Panthers took the ice with four new forward lines.

A highly-defensive first period, with each team getting a power play chance, neither team was able to breakthrough on the scoreboard.

Between the two teams, there were only 11 total shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes.

The second period kept the theme of the first.

Trading a few chances, dumping in chasing, just absolutely grinding out every shift.

Generating a little more offense, the Panthers outshot the Devils 11-8 in the middle frame.

Between the pipes, Knight stopped all three high-dangers shots he faced in the period.

“We just tried to embrace the hard stuff, not trying to break the game open,” said Knight on keeping the game close early.

Finally breaking the tie, Jesper Boqvist ripped in a wrist past Jacob Markstrom just 41 seconds into the third period to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Matching his career high, Boqvist’s goal was already his 10^th of the season.

Answering back soon after for New Jersey, Nico Hischier scored to make it 1-1 at 2:27.

Helping the Panthers lock in at least one point, Knight stood on his head later in the third period.

The biggest highlight for the 23-year-old netminder came when he denied Tomas Tatar and Paul Cotter on back-to-back shots, with the second of those saves being an incredible lunge to his left.

With 30 seconds left in regulation, Knight denied Timo Meier on a shot from the slot.

Following a scoreless overtime – an extra session that ended with another game-saving stop from Knight, this time just before the buzzer – the Panthers and Devils headed to a decisive shootout.

With only Cotter beating Knight, the Panthers needed just two goals in the skills competition.

After Aleksander Barkov beat Markstrom with a deceptive forehand shot in the first round, fellow Finn Anton Lundell sealed the deal when he fired a shot over Markstrom’s blocker for the 2-1 win.

Named first star of the game, Knight finished with 2.49 goals saved above expected, per NaturalStatTrick.com.

“He (Knight) was great,” said Anton Lundell. “Made some huge saves and gave us a chance to win.”

THEY SAID IT

“We didn't like the game yesterday. We came out good today and against a good team, so a nice two points for sure.” – Jesper Boqvist on bouncing back

“It was important to get the win tonight, not on yesterday, but just where we are.” – Paul Maurice on the importance of the win

CATS STATS

- Spencer Knight made seven high-danger saves, per NaturalStatTrick.com.

- Aleksander Barkov won a team-high 15 faceoffs.

- The Panthers led 28-13 in 5-on-5 shot attempts when Niko Mikkola was deployed.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Home sweet home.

The Panthers are heading back to Amerant Bank Arena to kick off a two-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the surging Detroit Red Wings on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

For tickets, click HERE.