The New Jersey Devils secured a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in their home opener at Prudential Center. The game, held on October 17, 2025, featured updates and highlights as the Devils overcame an early deficit to claim the win.
Florida took an initial lead in the first period with a goal credited to Evan Rodrigues. Devils goaltender Jake Allen made several key saves to keep the score close.
In the second period, Jack Hughes scored for the Devils on a power play, banking the puck off the goaltender’s helmet. Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier assisted on the play, with Bratt reaching his 300th career assist.
The third period saw Timo Meier net his third goal of the season by redirecting a shot from Simon Nemec through the legs of Panthers defender Gustav Forsling and past goaltender Daniil Tarasov. Later, Devils captain Nico Hischier extended the lead to 3-1.
The Devils’ lineup included forwards Ondrej Palat, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, Arseni Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Curtis Brown, Paul Cotter, Luke Glendening, and Brian Halonen. Defensemen were Hughes-Pesce, Sigenthaler-Hamilton, Dillon-Nemec. Jake Allen started in goal, with Nico Daws as backup.
The Panthers fielded a lineup with Evan Rodrigues, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Sam Reinhart, Adam Boqvist, Eetu Luostarinen, Mackie Samoskevich, A.J. Greer, Luke Kunin, and Jonah Gadjovich as forwards. Their defense included Forsling-Ekblad, Mikkola-Jones, Balinskis-Petry. Daniil Tarasov started in goal with Sergei Bobrovsky as backup.
The game was broadcast on MSGSN and available for radio listeners via the Devils Hockey Network.
“GOALS & HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERIOD
FLA 1, NJD 0: Evan Rodrigues is credited with the goal.
Jake Allen’s 1st Period Saves
SECOND PERIOD
NJD 1, FLA 1: Jack Hughes, on the power play, goes for his signature move of banking the puck off the goalie’s helmet and into the net. Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier pick up the assists on the play, Bratt earning his 300th career assist.
Jake Allen’s 2nd Period SavesTHIRD PERIODNJD 2, FLA 1: Timo Meier has his third goal of the season, swiftly redirecting a Simon Nemec shot through the legs of Panthers Gustav Forsling and into the net behind Daniil Tarasov.
NJD 3, FLA 1: The captain! Nico Hischier extends the Devils lead to two goals.”
The Devils’ win marks a positive start to their home schedule as they continue their season in Newark.
