Bratt scores twice, Devils rally past Panthers to end 6-game skid

Jesper Bratt scored twice, and the New Jersey Devils ended a six-game skid with a 4-2 win against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Wednesday.

Yegor Sharangovich scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 34 saves in his first start since Nov. 3 for the Devils (22-9-2), who were 0-5-1 during the skid. Blackwood returned from an MCL sprain to make six saves on seven shots in the third period of a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
"We needed a win," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "We played several really good games inside this [skid] and didn't find ways to get the puck in the back of the net. But I thought to come out and get a couple goals in the third period … it was important."

Eric Staal and Eetu Luostarinen scored, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for the Panthers (15-15-4), who have lost five of seven. They won 4-2 at New Jersey on Saturday.
"As with a number of our games, the analytics are all nice for us but the win's not there," Florida coach Paul Maurice said. "We've got to finish some plays around their net, for sure. What you hang your hat on, what you hope, is if you're getting beat up on the numbers too, you've got a real problem. The opposite is our case."
Bratt tied it 2-2 at 2:44 of the third on his second goal of the game by driving to the right face-off circle on a 2-on-1 for a snap shot under Bobrovsky's glove.
"That one felt good for sure," Devils captain Nico Hischier said. "We put in the work. We came in late on a back to back and came out to play. It was a full team effort. That one definitely feels good and puts us back on track."
Sharangovich gave New Jersey a 3-2 lead at 10:10, tipping a shot from Jonas Siegenthaler.
Tomas Tatar scored an empty-net goal with 40 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final.
"We obviously had our chances to tie it up," Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura said. "It's tough going into the third when you've got the lead and giving it up. We just have to take a look at it."

Staal put Florida ahead 1-0 at 4:45 of the first period by taking a pass from Ryan Lomberg out of traffic for a wrist shot after Blackwood lost his stick.
Bratt tied it 1-1 five seconds into a power play at 7:01, dropping to one knee for a one-timer from the right circle off a pass from Jack Hughes. Bratt had two goals in his previous 13 games.
Luostarinen put the Panthers in front 2-1 at 16:12 of the second period with four seconds left on the power play. Sam Bennett chipped the puck off the wall around New Jersey defenseman Brendan Smith before passing to the high slot, where Luostarinen scored blocker side on a wrist shot.
"Overall, I think it's been a little hard," said Florida forward Anton Lundell, who had an assist in his first game since Dec. 1 because of an upper-body injury. "We've had a lot of guys away, injured. I'm just happy to come back and try to help the team every game."

The Devils played the bulk of the game with five defensemen; Ryan Graves left at 3:14 of the first after getting tangled with Panthers forward Zac Dalpe and falling into the boards. No update was provided.
"Once your adrenaline gets going and once you're in the game, you just get into that rhythm of playing," said New Jersey defenseman Damon Severson, who led all skaters with 28:24 of ice time. "You don't think about the minutes or who you're playing against, or who you're playing with. Your name gets called, you go out that door and play."
NOTES: Hughes had one assist. The 21-year-old has 146 points (61 goals, 85 assists) in 199 NHL games, tying Scott Gomez (36 goals, 110 assists) for the fourth-most points in Devils history among players under the age of 22. ... Staal scored in a second straight game for the first time since Jan. 22 and 24, 2021. He has three goals in six games after being held without one in his first 21 this season. … Devils defenseman John Marino did not play because of an upper-body injury sustained Tuesday.