SUNRISE, Fla. _ Nearly six months after a disappointing playoff ouster, the new-look, retooled Florida Panthers needed overtime to start the season off with a bang.
Thanks to two spectacular saves by Roberto Luongo in the final two minutes, the Panthers remained alive long enough for Aleksander Barkov to swat in the winner during the 3-on-3 overtime to down the Devils, 2-1, in front of a raucous crowd at the BB&T Center.
The Panthers, now 5-0-1 in their last six season openers, dominated the Devils in a scoreless third period because Luongo's former Canucks teammate, Cory Schneider, shined in net.
Just 2:12 into overtime, Panthers rookie defenseman Mike Matheson tossed Devils defenseman Damon Severson to the ice before whizzing a pass across the goal-mouth to Barkov for the one-timer. Down came the plastic rats from high atop the arena where three hours earlier the Panthers' Atlantic Division championship banner was dropped down amidst a puff of smoke.
Surprisingly, only nine of the 21 Panthers on the ice contributed to last season's franchise-best 103 points as first-year general manager Tom Rowe oversaw a plethora of trades and free-agent signings in an effort to inject speed into the lineup.
Less than six months after hip surgery Luongo notched 23 saves for his 437th career victory to tie Jacques Plante for sixth on the all-time list. A scoreless, hum-drum second period had it all knotted up at 1-1 heading into the third frame, when the Panthers stormed out of the gate with 10 shots to none over the first 6:30. However, Schneider stymied Jaromir Jagr from in close and made a nifty pad save to rob Colton Sceviour.
Then it was Luongo's turn to shine as he sticked out a point-blank shot by former Oilers sniper Taylor Hall with 1:38 left in regulation, and then with 30 seconds remaining, made a spectacular glove save on Devils captain Andy Greene.
A day after Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau underwent successful surgery to repair his Achilles' tendon, his replacement, Jonathan Marchessault, scored in his first game since being elevated from the fourth line to the top line.
With Jagr providing a screen in his 23rd NHL opener, Barkov fed Marchessault for a one-time snap shot from the right dot. Schneider seemed to make the initial save but the flying puck bounced off former Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy and in at 9:58 for Marchessault's first goal as a Panther and ninth of his 50-game career.
"Hopefully, we'll get some connection right off the bat," Marchessault said after morning skate Thursday. "It doesn't happen often but it's the first game for everybody and you make the most of it, try to get your game in shape. It's a long year."
Marchessault, 25, who was buried on the Lightning's skill-laden depth chart, lived up to Barkov's initial impression.
"His name is also Jonathan and is going to help us a lot," Barkov said. "He's fast, skilled and works hard."
However, with just 29 seconds left in the period, Devils rookie Yohann Auvitu's slap shot from the blue line caromed off PA Parenteau's leg and past Luongo's glove for a momentum-sapping goal to forge a 1-1 tie after one.
It was Auvitu's first career assist in his first NHL game after spending the last seven years playing pro hockey in Finland. The Devils recently claimed Parenteau, a former Islander, off waivers.
