The Florida Panthers won 3-2 in overtime on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. With this win, Florida continues their unbeaten season with an 8-0-0 record. For Detroit, they grab a point despite losing and sit at 4-2-2.
Game Recap
The game started in the Red Wings favor, but the Panthers soon evened the game out. Under nine minutes into the game, Eetu Luostarinen opened the game with a goal for Florida. Eight minutes later, Detroit enjoyed their first of four power plays in the game. Fortunately for Florida, Detroit could not capitalize. To end the period, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov scored to increase the lead to two.
Detroit flipped the switch during the first intermission, as Sam Gagner scored two minutes into the second. With Gagner’s goal, Detroit decreased Florida’s lead to one. To end the middle frame, Detroit collected a pair of penalties. Despite back-to-back power plays, Florida could not score.
To open the third, Florida took another two penalties of their own. This time Detroit was not able to score on either power plays. Just before the halfway point of the third, the Red Wings took their third and final penalty of the game. The Panthers could not find the back of the net on the power play. With under three minutes left in the game, Pius Suter scored his first as a Red Wing. On a tipped shot, Suter tied the game at two. The winner was not determined in the remaining minutes of regulation, which meant an overtime period was due.
On a great feed by Huberdeau, Barkov made Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic look silly and roofed it backhand top corner. The captain scored his second of the game for the win.
Takeaways/Notes
- The Panthers opened the scoring for the sixth time this season, tying the Flames for the most game-opening goals in the NHL.
- Markus Nutivaara and Brandon Montour assisted on Florida’s 1-0 goal. Panthers defensemen have combined for 26 points this season (4-22—26 in 8 GP), the highest such total in the NHL.
- Anthony Duclair assisted on Aleksander Barkov’s 2-0 goal to record the 200th point of his NHL career (94-106—200 in 404 GP).
- Aleksander Barkov scored the overtime winner. Barkov (7-10—17) surpassed Olli Jokinen (10-6—16) for the most regular-season overtime points in franchise history.
- Interim head coach Andrew Brunette recorded his first win as an NHL head coach.
Up Next:
Florida plays their second game of a back-to-back in Boston Saturday night. The undefeated Panthers take on the 3-3-0 Bruins at 7:00 PM EST.