The New Jersey Devils opened their home season at the Prudential Center on Thursday, October 16, 2025, with a 3-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. A sold-out crowd of 16,514 fans witnessed the Devils earn their third straight win after an opening-night loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Here are three takeaways from the game:

1. Timely Third-Period Goals Seal the Win

After a tightly contested game tied at 1-1, the Devils broke through in the third period with goals from Timo Meier and captain Nico Hischier. Meier scored his team-leading third goal of the season at 6:23 of the third, breaking the tie with a shot that beat Panthers' goaltender Daniil Tarasov. Hischier added an insurance goal at 11:47, extending the lead to 3-1. Jack Hughes scored the lone goal for the Devils in the second period. Evan Rodrigues scored the opening goal for the Florida Panthers.

2. Jake Allen Proves a Reliable Netminder

With starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom sidelined for a few weeks with a lower-body injury, Jake Allen stepped up and delivered a solid performance in net for the Devils. Allen stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced, including two high-danger chances, earning his first win of the season. Allen's performance underscored his value as a reliable backup capable of handling the starting role in Markstrom's absence.

3. Special Teams and Key Plays Make the Difference

The Devils' penalty kill was perfect, denying the Panthers on all five of their power-play opportunities. Dawson Mercer's incredible diving play to keep the puck alive ultimately led to Hischier's crucial insurance goal. Coach Sheldon Keefe emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating that such plays are essential for the team's success. Jesper Bratt recorded an assist on Jack Hughes's goal, marking the 300th assist of his career.

The Panthers, who began their season with three straight home wins, have now lost three in a row on the road. They were without key players such as captain Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who are both injured. Daniil Tarasov made 30 saves for the Panthers.

The Devils will next host the Edmonton Oilers, while the Panthers will visit the Buffalo Sabres.