The Florida Panthers had their home opener at BB&T Center on Saturday night and were handily defeated by the New Jersey Devils 5-1. The Cats had won their last five home openers prior to tonight. The Devils won their first two road games to begin a season for the first time in franchise history.
It did not take long for New Jersey(2-0-0) to score as they put in a tally just 2:37 into the first period. Eric Gelinas fired a slapshot through traffic from the left point following a pass by Jon Merrill at the right point.
The Devils extended their margin to 2-0 when they scored on their first power play at 8:46. Patrik Elias cycled the puck from the right side to on top of the zone where Gelinas was. He ripped a shot which was deflected by Martin Havlat in the low slot area. It was the first goal by Havlat with his new team.
They made it 3-0 at 13:13 on their next power play opportunity. Mike Cammalleri scored his third goal of the season when he redirected the puck from the slot area. Marek Zidlicky took a slapshot from the left point set up by Damon Severson, who got his first NHL assist and point on the play.
Things got better for Severson late in the first period as he compiled his first NHL goal with 28 seconds remaining when he blasted a slapshot from the right point.
The momentum still belonged to the Devils early in the second period as they got a five-goal cushion at 2:59. Adam Henrique sent a pass to the low left circle to Michael Ryder. He backhanded the puck to the slot and Ryan Clowe put in a one-timer. Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant decided to replace Roberto Luongo with backup Al Montoya after he surrendered five goals on 14 shots by New Jersey.
Florida(0-1-1) broke the shutout at 16:31 on their third power play. Scottie Upshall received the puck at the side of the Devils net on a Brian Campbell feed. He backhanded it to Derek MacKenzie in the low slot and he snapped in a shot by Cory Schneider for his first goal as a Panther.
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