Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils Preview & Prediction - 3/3/2026
Updated July 9, 2026
The Tuesday night NHL slate features a compelling regular-season encounter between the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Both of these teams have had highly disappointing seasons, sitting near the bottom of their respective divisions. Here, I break down which team has the best shot at getting a much-needed win, as I make my Panthers vs Devils prediction on the ice.
Pick: Over 5.5
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Recent Form
Florida has been inconsistent of late, losing three of its last four games. The Panthers dropped their most recent matchup to the New York Islanders and have alternated wins and losses, showing flashes of offensive capability when clicking but also periods of struggle against stout defenses. This inconsistency is reflected in their modest goal differential and position at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
New Jersey enters this game also struggling to build sustained success, with recent losses stacking up. The Devils’ form has been trending downward, putting them in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with time running out to catch up to the Wild Card teams. While New Jersey has moments of strong play, they have not found a rhythm that consistently produces wins.
Goaltending
Florida’s goaltending will again be a critical factor, with Sergei Bobrovsky leading the Panthers and Daniil Tarasov capable of backing him up. Both netminders have had uneven results, and neither side’s goalie stands out as a clear edge. Florida’s ability to generate scoring chances and limit high-danger chances could be decisive if Bobrovsky can tilt the save percentage in his favor.
The Devils’ Jacob Markstrom has posted respectable numbers but has allowed too many goals in recent outings and will need to be sharp against a Florida attack led by Sam Reinhart. If Markstrom struggles, New Jersey’s chances decrease sharply.
Key Skaters
Sam Reinhart continues to lead Florida offensively, tied for team highs in goals and assists and serving as the core of the Panthers’ scoring attack. His ability to drive play and generate offense from the center position remains vital for Florida’s success each night.
Nico Hischier leads New Jersey in scoring and offers a steady presence, but the Devils are missing depth on the right wing with Stefan Noesen and Zack MacEwen on injured reserve. The loss of secondary scoring has bitten New Jersey in close games, and bridging that gap will be critical against a Florida defense that can fluster opposing forwards.
Score Projection: Florida Panthers 4 – New Jersey Devils 3
Win Probability: Panthers 58%, Devils 42%
Florida enters this game slightly healthier and with more offensive upside than New Jersey, despite some inconsistency. The Devils’ recent downturn and lack of depth scoring open the door for the Panthers to secure a tight victory. But my top pick in the betting markets here is for the over to cash, thanks to the recent defensive struggles on both sides.
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