Devils Defeat Panthers, Dim Playoff Hopes

New Jersey wins 5-1 as Florida's postseason chances take a hit

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The New Jersey Devils defeated the visiting Florida Panthers 5-1 on Tuesday night in Newark. Dougie Hamilton had a goal and an assist, while Jack Hughes and Connor Brown each recorded two assists for the Devils. The loss drops the Panthers further out of playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

This game was a crucial one for the Panthers, who are struggling to stay in the playoff race. The Devils, meanwhile, are looking to build momentum down the stretch. The outcome of this matchup could have significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations.

The details

The Devils jumped out to an early lead with a goal from Arseny Gritsyuk in the first period. Florida's Anton Lundell tied it up, but Dougie Hamilton restored New Jersey's advantage in the second. The Devils then pulled away with goals from Cody Glass, Dawson Mercer, and Simon Nemec. New Jersey's defense clamped down in the third period, outshooting the Panthers 12-2.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.

The players

Dougie Hamilton

A veteran defenseman for the New Jersey Devils who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Jack Hughes

The Devils' young star center who recorded two assists.

Connor Brown

The Devils' forward who also had two assists.

Anton Lundell

The Panthers' forward who scored their lone goal in the game.

Sergei Bobrovsky

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

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with that same intensity and focus if we want to keep our playoff hopes alive.”

— Anton Lundell, Panthers Forward (Field Level Media)

What’s next

The Panthers will look to bounce back in their next game on Thursday, while the Devils aim to build on this win as the trade deadline approaches on Friday.

The takeaway

This game was a significant setback for the Panthers, who are now in danger of missing the playoffs entirely. The Devils, on the other hand, showed they can compete with the top teams in the East and may look to be buyers at the trade deadline to bolster their own postseason chances.