Florida 3, New Jersey 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, April 11, 2015
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Referees:
Rob Martell, Ghislain Hebert
Linesmen:
Tim Nowak, Brad Lazarowich
Attendance:
12236
By The Sports Xchange
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Right winger Jaromir Jagr scored the game-winning goal as the Florida Panthers ended a promising season on an upbeat note, defeating the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday night at the BB&T Center.
The Panthers (38-29-15) improved by 25 points from the previous season.
Jagr scored the game-winner with 7:37 left in the third period as he poked a rebound past New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider. It was power-play goal No. 204 in Jagr's brilliant career, tying him with Wayne Gretzky for 14th place on the NHL list.
Earlier in the game, Jagr got career assist No. 1,080, placing him alone in sixth place in NHL history.
Jagr's big night came in his first game against the Devils since New Jersey traded him on Feb. 28. Jagr has six goals and 12 assists in 20 games with Florida.
Backup goalie Al Montoya, who hadn't played since March 3 due to a groin injury, got the win as the Panthers rested All-Star Roberto Luongo.
The Devils (32-36-14) finished a disappointing season by coming in seventh in the eight-team Metropolitan Division.
New Jersey came tantalizingly close to tying the game in the final minute when a shot hit off the post and was cleared off the line by Florida defenseman Brian Campbell.
Florida defenseman Steven Kampfer left the game with 9:32 left in the third period due to an apparent leg injury suffered after he was checked into the boards.
Devils right winger Steve Bernier was ejected on the play after officials ruled he kneed Kampfer. That gave the Panthers a four-minute power play that resulted in the winning goal.
New Jersey opened the scoring with 18:10 left in the second period. Right winger Jordin Tootoo scored on a one-timer from the left circle, taking a perfect pass from center Travis Zajak.
Florida tied the score 1-1 on a goal by center Dave Bolland with 8:52 left in the second period. The Panthers had some slick interior passing on the play, and the assists went to right winger Brad Boyes and left winger Jussi Jokinen.
The Panthers nearly went up 2-1 on an apparent goal by defenseman Aaron Ekblad with 3:01 left in the second period. But the score was disallowed when it was ruled that right winger Jimmy Hayes made contact with Schneider in the crease.
Florida went up 2-1 with 12:50 left in the third period on center Jonathan Huberdeau's goal. After Jagr shot from the right circle, Huberdeu collected the rebound and scored.
With 8:59 left in the third period, New Jersey tied the score 2-2 on a goal by defenseman Davon Serverson, who beat Luongo stick-side. The assists went to left winger Mike Cammalleri and defenseman Peter Harrold as the teams skated four-on-four.
NOTES: The Devils missed the playoffs for the third straight year. The last time that happened was in 1987, which was the franchise's fifth year. That's a sharp decline for a team that made the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. ... Panthers RW Jaromir Jagr played in his 1,550th NHL game, giving him sole possession of 11th place in NHL history. ... All-Star G Roberto Luongo, 36, who rested in Florida's finale, finished the season 28-19-12 with a 2.35 GAA. It was his best GAA since his 2.11 mark in 2010-11. ... Panthers Coach Gerard Gallant said Luongo has been his team's MVP this season. ... Panthers D Erik Gudbranson (upper-body injury) was replaced by Steven Kampfer. ... Florida scratched LW Shawn Thornton. ... New Jersey scratched D Jon Merrill, C Stefan Matteau and RWs Martin Havlat and Michael Ryder. ... New Jersey sent rookie Ds Raman Hrabarenka and Seth Helgenson to Albany of the AHL.
Top Game Performances
| New Jersey |
|
Florida |
|
Damon Severson 1 |
Points |
Jaromir Jagr 2 |
|
Damon Severson 1 |
Goals |
Jaromir Jagr 1 |
|
Michael Cammalleri 1 |
Assists |
Jaromir Jagr 1 |
|
N/A |
Power Play Goals |
Jaromir Jagr 1 |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Cory Schneider .889 |
Save Percentage |
Al Montoya .939 |
|
Cory Schneider 24 |
Saves |
Al Montoya 31 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| New Jersey
|
33 |
2 |
0-1 |
2-3 |
29 |
23 |
| Florida
|
27 |
3 |
1-3 |
1-1 |
14 |
31 |
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