Paul Maurice: Florida Panthers Win Helped ‘Cement the Culture’

Even though the Florida Panthers only had one shot on goal through the first 13 minutes of Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, coach Paul Maurice “loved” the way his team was playing.

The Panthers looked a lot like they are supposed to: Hard forecheck, tight defensive gaps, bottled up play in front of the net to help their goalie.

Maurice was not concerned about his team’s offense — and that’s good, because they only got one goal through 65 minutes.

But the high-flying Devils only got one goal as well.

That one came off a sharp-angled shot from Nico Hischier that deflected off of Gus Forsling.

Maurice talked pregame about how hard it is to frustrate and slow down the Devils, but the Panthers played a fully committed game and did exactly that.

“I love that game, loved the game we played tonight on back-to-back nights,” Maurice said after Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win against the Devils.

“It was hard. We contested just about everything up and down the ice. You don’t get a lot of these in the season, wins that help you cement your culture. I just loved that game.”

Florida was physical throughout Tuesday’s game, ending with 42 hits. Rookie Mackie Samoskevich led all players with eight.

The Panthers also blocked 14 shots.

Spencer Knight gave the Panthers yet another strong game, recording his second straight shootout win after stopping two of the three shots the Devils offered up.

Knight, who made 26 saves, has allowed three goals or fewer in 11 of his 15 starts.

He has given up a total of three in wins over the Devils and Penguins this month.

“Back-to-backs are never easy, so we just tried to embrace the hard stuff and not try and break the game open,” Knight said. “My teammates did a great job in front of me, coming back, making some big blocks. That allows me to do my job.”

ON DECK: GAME No. 46

DETROIT RED WINGS at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• National TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5 FM-2; WBZT 1230-AM (West Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); WCZR 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL/Panthers App
• Last Season: Florida won 3-1
• This Season — At Detroit: April 6. At Florida: Thursday; April 10.
• All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 39-19-7, 5 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Anaheim Ducks, 6 p.m.