Devils' Daws Stellar in 4-1 Win vs. Panthers

Nico Daws was outstanding in a 4-1 win vs. Florida Panthers, making 36/37 saves and helping the New Jersey Devils steal 2 points.

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The New Jersey Devils are undermanned, but to their credit, they're showing plenty of fight. They nearly secured a second point against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and scrapped out a 4-1 win against the Florida Panthers last night, thanks to Nico Daws' stellar performance. Here are three takeaways from the victory. 

Daws Steals a Win

With Vitek Vaněček's struggles against the Lightning, it's no surprise Devils coach Lindy Ruff turned to Nico Daws against a white-hot Florida Panthers team that was on a nine-game winning streak coming into yesterday's tilt. 

That turned out to be the right decision, as Daws was outstanding. The first period was generally pretty even, but Daws made a fantastic blocker save on Oliver Ekman-Larsson with two seconds remaining in the opening frame. That grade-A chance was a sign of things to come, too. 

It was a matter of time before the Devils' depleted lineup would catch up to them, and it did across the final two periods of yesterday's game. But that didn't phase Daws, as he stopped all but one Panthers shot over the final 40 minutes. 

The second period was particularly busy for Daws, as the Panthers generated 1.6 expected goals at all strengths. For the game, the Panthers created 20 high-danger chances, but he made saves on 12 of the 13 that made it to him. 

It was about the timely saves Daws made, too. As mentioned, there was the blocker save on Ekman-Larsson. But he also robbed Sam Reinhart with his glove when the Panthers had the extra attacker out in the game's final minutes. That's something the Devils haven't been getting enough of this season. 

Daws finished the game by saving 2.63 goals above expected, with 36 saves on 37 shots. The Devils needed one of their netminders to steal a win on this road trip to get a result with all their injuries. And that's exactly what Daws did yesterday. He may have gotten some help from the post. But without him, the Devils don't get the two points. 

Nemec Fantastic Again