Devils bench Timo Meier, Lindy Ruff calls out team after loss to Panthers: 'Everyone should be angry'

New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff is setting a high standard early in the 2023-24 season and was none too pleased with his club’s effort against the Florida Panthers in Monday’s 4-3 loss.

With the Devils trailing 4-0 early in the third period, Ruff felt the need to send a message of accountability to his players. That led to the benching of star forward Timo Meier as well as Curtis Lazar and John Marino for all but one shift of the final frame.

Meier, in particular, was disciplined for taking a pair of tripping penalties in the second period — neither of which the Panthers scored on. Still, the 27-year-old's ice time finished at 11:29, which was his lowest since 2017-18.

"Can't take the penalties he took," Ruff said post-game, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Ruff said it was a “coach’s decision” when asked about the three skaters that spent most of the final 20 minutes on the bench.

New Jersey’s bench boss, who inked a multi-year extension last week, added the team needs “more out of a lot of guys” moving forward and that this disappointing defeat wasn’t on just one or two individuals.

"To a man, we all should be [frustrated]," Ruff said after the game, per Devils reporter Amanda Stein. "Players, coaches, everyone should be angry."

The four-time Jack Adams Award finalist hopes his team can utilize its current frustration as motivation for the next game, which will come Friday against the New York Islanders. There, Meier will aim to re-enter his head coach’s good graces.

It has been a tepid start to the season for Meier, considering he’s been held off the scoresheet in all three games thus far. He has registered four shots on goal in that span.

The Devils have high expectations for the former San Jose Shark, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal ahead of last season’s trade deadline. The veteran was then rewarded with a hefty eight-year contract extension over the summer.

For his career, Meier owns 154 goals and 316 points across 451 games while averaging 16:57 minutes per night. The Switzerland native potted 40 goals and 66 points over 78 contests split between San Jose and New Jersey in 2022-23.

The Devils are off to an underwhelming start to the 2023-24 campaign, earning three points in their first three games. Goal prevention has been an early issue, as they’ve surrendered at least three markers in each contest.

New Jersey had been tabbed as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender entering the season after finishing with 112 points last year.