Devils Throttle Panthers 5-1, Playoff Hopes Take a Hit

Boston's win over Pittsburgh leaves Florida trailing by 10 points in the wild-card race with 21 games left.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice deconstructed into abstract shapes and planes of color, with the puck and sticks as the only recognizable elements.The Devils' decisive victory over the Panthers exposes the challenges of maintaining momentum and consistency in the NHL, especially after the Olympic break.Los Angeles Today

The New Jersey Devils delivered a decisive 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, dealing a major blow to the Panthers' playoff aspirations. This win, coupled with Boston's triumph over Pittsburgh, has left the Panthers trailing by 10 points in the Eastern Conference's final wild-card spot with just 21 games remaining in the season.

Why it matters

The Panthers' struggles since the Olympics break have been a concern, and this latest setback could potentially mark the first time a Stanley Cup-winning team misses the playoffs the following season since the 2014-15 Los Angeles Kings. The game showcased the Devils' resilience and the Panthers' ongoing challenges, underscoring the importance of maintaining momentum post-Olympics and the potential consequences of a slow start to the season.

The details

The Devils' triumph was fueled by U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who extended his points streak to four games since returning from the Olympics, and Dougie Hamilton and Cody Glass, who also found the back of the net. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for the Panthers, who have lost three of their last four games since the Olympics.

  • The game was played on March 4, 2026.

The players

Jack Hughes

A U.S. Olympic hero who extended his points streak to four games since returning from the Olympics.

Dougie Hamilton

A Devils player who scored a goal in the 5-1 victory over the Panthers.

Cody Glass

A Devils player who scored a goal in the 5-1 victory over the Panthers.

Sergei Bobrovsky

The Panthers' goaltender who made 28 saves in the 5-1 loss.

Los Angeles Kings

The last Stanley Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season, in 2014-15.

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The takeaway

This game highlights the importance of maintaining momentum after the Olympics break and the potential consequences of a slow start to the season. The Panthers' playoff hopes have taken a significant hit, and their ability to bounce back and secure a postseason berth will be closely watched in the final 21 games of the season.