Hoffman delivers in overtime

On heels of Saturday’s heartbreaking loss, Panthers snap 3-game losing streak

SUNRISE — After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday night, the Panthers were able to flip the script on Monday.

Two days after suffering a 5-4 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks — surrendering the game-tying goal with less than a second to play in regulation — it was Florida who came up with the late-game heroics.

Trailing New Jersey by a goal, Jonathan Huberdeau scored with 1:29 left in the third period to force overtime. In the extra session, Mike Hoffman tallied the game-winner to give the Panthers a 4-3 win.

With the victory, Florida snapped a three-game losing streak and bounced back after Saturday’s heartbreaking loss.

Looking to fight its way out of the Eastern Conference cellar, the Panthers took advantage of a golden opportunity Monday night. Facing the Devils, who held the second-worst record in the conference and were playing the second game of a back-to-back, Florida secured

the win to improve to 9-9-4 on the season.

After a scoreless first period, New Jersey struck first in the second. Less than two minutes into the period, Miles Wood scored off a tip from Sami Vatanen on the right wing to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, New Jersey extended its lead after Blake Coleman scored his eighth goal of the season on a short-handed breakaway, firing a shot just past James Reimer glove-side to make it, 2-0.

Florida finally broke through 90 seconds later, finally able to capitalize on a power-play opportunity. With a 5-on-3 advantage, Aleksander Barkov scored off assists from Evgenii Dadonov and Jonathan Huberdeau to cut the lead in half with just over 13 minutes left in the second play. For Barkov, it was his eighth goal of the season.

While the Panthers couldn’t further take advantage of the power play, Jared McCann evened the game just four minutes later, scoring his fourth of the season to tie the game, 2-2.

The Panthers will continue their eight-game home stand on Wednesday night against the Ducks.

LYNNE SLADKY/AP Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle skates with the puck as Devils right wing Stefan Noesen chases during the first period Monday night in Sunrise.