Devils at Panthers
With their hopes of finishing in the top three in the Atlantic Division long gone, the Florida Panthers became somewhat of a forgotten entity in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Yet the Panthers remain well within striking distance of the eighth postseason slot as they resume a six-game homestand against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Florida has won 10 of 13 since the All-Star break and three in row, beating playoff teams Washington, Pittsburgh and Toronto with late-game goals to draw within five points -- with three games in hand -- of Columbus. "I think we've been winning at the end of the game, three games now," Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. "We just have to build off of it and I think it gives confidence to our group. We need these points, so we have to battle every game to get these points." The Devils have won six of eight after knocking off Pittsburgh 3-2 in the opener of their three-game road trip to move within two points of the third-place Penguins in the Metropolitan. Red-hot Taylor Hall continues to lead the charge for New Jersey, collecting points in all 22 games since the calendar flipped to 2018.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; MSG Plus (New Jersey), FS Florida
ABOUT THE DEVILS (33-22-8): Hall matched his career-high goal total -- set twice with Edmonton -- by scoring his 27th against Pittsburgh to extend his point streak to 15 games, tying the franchise record shared by Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta. "He's a different beast right now," said Stefan Noesen. "I don't get it. It's crazy. I don't even know how many games that is in a row, but he just seems to have a knack for it right now." Kyle Palmieri has 17 goals after scoring nine times in 15 games since the All-Star break.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (29-25-6): Goaltender Roberto Luongo is 4-1-0 in five starts since missing nearly 2 1/2 months due to injury and has won his last three starts as Florida moved a season-best four games over .500. Aleksander Barkov, who played nearly 27 1/2 minutes against Toronto, has six goals and 10 assists over the past dozen games to tie his career high with 59 points. "Way too many minutes for him ... but it is what it is and he’s responding well to it. His game’s in a good spot,” Florida coach Bob Boughner said.
OVERTIME
1. The Panthers have won six of the last seven meetings overall versus New Jersey and four straight in Florida.
2. F Patrick Maroon, acquired at Monday's trade deadline, is expected to make his debut for New Jersey on Thursday.
3. Florida has 14 power-play goals in 12 games in February.