Jonathan Bernier came in to replace Blackwood in goal for the Devils. Blackwood stopped 23 of 27 shots through almost half the game.
Bernier slid across to make a nice pad save off Luostarinen. Shots in the second were 16-4 for Florida almost 12 minutes into the middle frame.
Sam Bennett was called for high sticking with 8:21 to go in the second, giving the Devils power play a chance to get the team back in the game.
Devils took a tripping penalty with 1:57 to go in the second after Hamilton upended Sam Reinhart.
After two, shots on goal were 33-32 for the Panthers.
In the third, the Devils started to carry the play once again but couldn't convert.
"We had a great first, they had a great second. When you're leading by three, a team will sit back a bit and make sure you don't get any opportunities. We had a couple opportunities but couldn't finish," noted Ruff.
Devils captain Nico Hischier agreed with the sentiments of his coach.
"We really had a good first period but the second period wasn't good at all. Against a team like that, they scored on us. 4-1 is hard to come back but we played a solid third period. A lot of chances. No bounce for us today. We've got to learn from it and we know it's not going to be easy to win in this League if you don't play 60 minutes."
Midway through the third, Bernier made a nice stop on Bennett who skated in alone on a breakaway. Bennett tried to deke but Bernier spread out his pads to keep the puck out.
Shots on goal with 8:46 to go in the game were 40-38 for the Devils.
Radko Gudas took a tpenalty for unsportsmanlike conduct late to give the Devils a power play in the game's final two minutes. They also pulled Bernier to try and generate some attack but it was all for naught.
Final shot count was 46-41 for the Devils.
The game was the first in the career of Fabian Zetterlund, who was on the ice for the Dougie Hamilton goal. He finished +1 with three shots on goal in 9:33 of icetime.
"It was unbelievable. A dream come true for me and I think my whole family, too. It was special for me," he said. "I tried to play as hard as I could. I think I played well."
Coach Ruff liked how the winger played as well.
"Skated well, got to the net. Was responsible away from the puck. I thought for his first game, he held his own. He'll only get better."