Panthers at Devils
The Florida Panthers try for their season-high third straight victory Saturday as they continue their five-game road trip against the New Jersey Devils. Florida had won consecutive games just once before beginning its trek with back-to-back triumphs over the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers. Rookie Jacob Markstrom has been stellar in goal as he followed a 33-save performance against Carolina by stopping a career-high 44 shots in Thursday's 3-1 victory in New York.
New Jersey received a major boost Thursday as Martin Brodeur returned from a back injury to make 17 saves in a 4-1 home triumph at Carolina. Brodeur, who hadn't played since Feb. 21, also contributed offensively as he was credited with a power-play goal less than four minutes into the contest after the Hurricanes inadvertently shot the puck into their own net during a delayed penalty call. It was Brodeur's third career goal (including playoffs), a record for a goaltender, and nearly served as the game-winner as Carolina was held scoreless until Jeff Skinner tallied with 8:33 remaining in the third period.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN (Florida), MSG Plus (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (9-16-6): One member of the Panthers who will miss Alex Kovalev is rookie Jonathan Huberdeau, who began his career on a line with the 40-year-old Russian. The 19-year-old left wing will never forget the help he received from Kovalev in his NHL debut. "He shouldn't have any regrets. He tried to come back and it just didn't work out," Huberdeau told the Miami Herald. "He helped us at the beginning of the season and he really helped me relax during my first NHL game. I'll always remember that." Kovalev, who signed his retirement papers earlier in the week, recorded two goals and three assists in 14 contests after spending the entire 2011-12 season in his native Russia. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov could return to the lineup Saturday after missing 10 games with a dislocated shoulder.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (14-11-6): New Jersey added some offense Friday as it acquired Matt D'Agostini from the St. Louis Blues for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2015. The 26-year-old right wing recorded only one goal and one assist in 16 games with the Blues but scored a career-high 21 tallies in 2010-11. "He's a scorer," general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "We feel comfortable that he can give us some strength on the right side. He has the ability to play third line, second line." To make room on the roster, the Devils assigned center Harri Pesonen to Albany of the American Hockey League. The 24-year-old Finn failed to notch a point in three games with New Jersey. Thursday's victory snapped the Devils' three-game winless streak (0-2-1).
OVERTIME
1. Florida's only other winning streak was a two-game run during which it defeated Winnipeg on Jan. 31 and Buffalo on Feb. 3.
2. The Panthers and Devils will meet for the first time since Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
3. Both clubs have lost each of their last five Saturday games.
PREDICTION: Devils 4, Panthers 1