Devils 4, Panthers 2: Back in business

Led by Mackenzie Blackwood and Jesper Bratt, the Devils were able to pick up a much-needed win in Florida.

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A few observations from New Jersey’s bounce back win over the Florida Panthers:

Blackwood was excellent

Mackenzie Blackwood is not having the best season. Coming off an injury, and a couple underwhelming rehab starts in Utica, I was concerned about how he’d fare against a talented Panthers team.

The Devils entered play in desperate need of a win and, to get it, the goaltending had to hold up. Surprisingly, it did!

I thought Blackwood was terrific from start to finish. The Panthers generated a ton of shot volume and there was very little low percentage garbage. They had plenty of high-danger looks at Blackwood from the slot and were always hovering around to pounce on second and third chance opportunities.

Blackwood did a great job of tracking pucks and using his quick-twitch movement to come up with some athletic saves he probably shouldn’t have made.

All told, the Panthers piled up 36 shots, 23 high-danger chances, and more than four expected goals. Blackwood did extremely well holding the Panthers to just two goals.

He was legitimately the difference in what was a very hotly contested, high-event game.

With Vitek Vanecek struggling right now, I’d expect to see Blackwood again Friday night vs the Bruins.

Jesper Bratt turned up