Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom has been splitting time between living in San Antonio and South Florida.

No offense, San Antonio, but Markstrom would just love to settle down in South Florida.

“Absolutely,” Markstrom said. “Florida, that’s the NHL. I would much rather be in Florida than in Texas.”

Markstrom has been a hockey-playing yo-yo this season, three times going between San Antonio, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, and the big leagues of hockey in South Florida. Wherever he plays, nobody doubts his abilities.

On the surface, it might appear Markstrom — or the entire team, for that matter — played poorly in Friday’s 5-2 road loss to New Jersey. While Markstrom was in, Florida gave up three of those five goals, but two of them were empty-netters.

In fact, Panthers assistant coach Gord Murphy had praise for Markstrom’s performance against the Devils after Florida concluded a short practice Saturday at its Coral Springs training center.

“[Markstrom] came in and played very well,” Murphy said. “He gave us a chance to win the game and made some huge saves for us. He looked very confident and comfortable in the net. We have a lot of confidence in him.”

Markstrom, 21 and a 6-6, 196-pounder, was called up from San Antonio this week because goalie Jose Theodore has been sitting out with a knee injury.

That leaves Scott Clemmensen, 34, and Markstrom sharing goalie time.

“He’s a good kid, and he works hard at it,” Clemmensen said. “He was here when I was hurt earlier this year. The goalies have a good rapport with each other, all three of us, as well as the other goalies in the system. It’s important goalies support each other, and it’s good to see him get opportunities here.”

Markstrom vows to take advantage of any and all opportunities and rack up a few less frequent-flyer miles between San Antonio and South Florida.

Is he learning tricks of the goalie trade in the big leagues?

Markstrom smiled and said, “I’ll be in a learning process my whole life.”

MADDEN IMPRESSES

Newly acquired John Madden, the oldest player on the roster at 38, played against the Devils and got favorable reviews.

“Excellent,” Murphy said. “He’s a veteran player that has won [Madden has three Stanley Cup championship rings]. You see his intelligence on the ice. He manages the game well and plays his position well. He looks like he’s in midseason form.”