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Devils try to open season 2-0 versus Panthers

Oct 11, 2014 - 1:44 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New Jersey Devils opened their season with a victory in Philadelphia and they hope to make it two straight wins when they visit the Florida Panthers for Saturday's battle at BB&T Center.

The Devils, who missed the playoffs for a second straight spring in 2014, went seven games (0-4-3) into last season without a win before finally breaking through on Oct. 19 against the New York Rangers. New Jersey was able to get its first win out of the way early this season with Thursday's 6-4 triumph over the Flyers.

It seemed New Jersey was poised to blow out the Flyers after building a 3-0 lead just over five minutes into the second period, but the home team rallied to even the score at 3-3 before the end of 40 minutes. The clubs traded goals early in the third period, but Dainius Zubrus put the Devils on top for good when he scored the go-ahead goal at 7:13 of the final stanza. Mike Cammalleri added an empty-netter with a minute left to seal the win.

Cammalleri, who signed a five-year, $25 million deal with New Jersey this summer, scored two goals in his Devils debut. Michael Ryder added one goal and two assists for New Jersey.

"I like our group. I think we enjoyed each other and working hard," said Cammalleri. "A lot of guys are passionate about the game and working hard on being better. So that is really encouraging, I think that's a good lesson. But obviously we would have liked to play more of a controlled game where the scoreboard isn't zig zagging so much."

Cory Schneider stopped 35-of-39 shots as New Jersey began the post-Martin Brodeur era. The Devils opted not to re-sign Brodeur, the club's longtime starting goaltender, and signed Schneider to a seven-year contract. The Devils acquired Schneider in the summer of 2013, and the former Vancouver Canuck shared time in net with Brodeur last year.

The 28-year-old American is expected to start again tonight for the Devils. Schneider is 2-1-0 with a 2.21 goals against average in four career games against Florida.

Schneider will likely face his former Canucks teammate Roberto Luongo in Saturday's game. Luongo and Schneider battled for playing time in Vancouver before the Canucks decided to deal the latter goalie to New Jersey at the 2013 NHL draft. Luongo stayed with Vancouver until getting dealt to the Panthers at last season's trade deadline.

Luongo and the Panthers dropped their season opener in Tampa on Thursday, but Florida was able to pick up a point from the 3-2 overtime loss. Victor Hedman's goal 1:11 into the extra session was the difference for the Lightning.

Scottie Upshall's interference penalty at the end of the third period gave the hosts a power play entering the extra session. During a Florida line change, Bishop sent a pass up the near boards to Hedman, who skated in from the blue line and wristed a shot over the right shoulder of Luongo to win it.

"(We) battled hard," said Luongo. "The guys really worked hard for 60 minutes. We gave ourselves a chance. Unfortunately, the power plays cost us. We have to work on that."

Erik Gudbranson and Jonathan Huberdeau each scored a goal for the Panthers, while Luongo made 29 saves in the setback.

The Devils have won three of the last four meetings with Florida, but the Panthers have claimed two straight and five of the past seven encounters in Sunrise.