They paid off as the Devils defeated the Panthers by 4-3 in the opener on Thursday night.

Whatever the reason, the Devils defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-3, before a crowd of 12,222.

In that the Devils have soundly defeated it twice in two games this season, what does that suggest?

The Devils defeated the Panthers three times in four meetings during the regular season.

The Devils defeated Carolina, 3-1, and tied their series at 2-2.

The Devils defeated the Florida Panthers, 2-0, on Friday night.

Pittsburgh is the only team the Devils have defeated so far that has a losing record.

The Devils defeated the Flyers in five games.

The Devils defeated the Kings in both games in this year's two-game regular season series.

Three times in the playoffs, the Devils have defeated teams that had a winning record against New Jersey in the regular season.