Goals by Shawn Matthias and Marty Reasoner – with a pair of assists courtesy of a very rejuvenated Cory Stillman – weren’t nearly enough to compete with a surging New Jersey Devils club hungry for a fourth consecutive victory. Which of course they got, wrapping a Sunday matinee by a final of 5-2.
Ilya Kovalchuk and Jason Arnott chased Florida starter Scott Clemmensen (6 saves) from the crease after twenty shaky minutes, paving the way for Jacob Markstrom – the Panthers’ long-awaited Future In Net – to see his first regular season action on NHL ice.
Generally? He was good; could honestly say he may well have been more composed than the veteran he replaced. The Gavle, Sweden native, who will turn 21 in six days, appeared poised with a touch of restrained aggression while stopping 12 Devils shots.
His historic first goal-against? Rather unremarkable; simply a pretty standard Brian Rolston PP slapper. It was the follow-up we’ll likely remember, which was entirely no fault of his own; with two Panthers defensemen in the box (one on a hellaciously poor “boarding” call), Rolston and Patrik Elias combined to take full advantage of their 5-on-3 to produce, well, this unspeakable insanity:
Welcome to the Bigs, Marky.
So, pleased with what you saw out of him? Given he was recalled Sunday morning, thrown into a road game against a rolling opponent with the score down by 2, a defense lacking in names such as Kulikov and McCabe, and a one-line pop-gun offense, we’re giving him a passing grade.
More from In Lou We Trust here. Next up: Cats at Rangers Tuesday. Live Game Thread at 6.