Red Wings Strike Twice in Third Period to Beat Panthers 5-3

Monday Night NHL Action

The Detroit Red Wings continued their strong stretch with a 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday night, scoring twice in a 45-second span early in the third period to take control of a competitive matchup. Justin Faulk and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård delivered the decisive goals, while goaltender Daniil Tarasov turned aside 23 shots against his former team as Detroit improved to 6-2-1 over its last nine games.

Carter Mazur scored his first NHL goal to open the scoring for Detroit, Alex DeBrincat added his seventh goal of the season, and Emmitt Finnie sealed the victory with an empty net goal with three seconds remaining. Despite the loss, Florida remained within striking distance throughout the game before Detroit’s third period surge proved too much to overcome.

Red Wings Take Control in the Third Period

After an entertaining first two periods, Detroit broke a 2-2 tie early in the third. Faulk put the Red Wings ahead with a power-play goal at 2:08, giving Detroit a 3-2 advantage. Just 45 seconds later, Brandsegg-Nygård collected the puck deep in the slot and lifted a shot over Florida goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s glove to extend the lead to 4-2.

The quick one two punch gave Detroit the breathing room it needed to protect its advantage down the stretch. Finnie’s empty net goal with three seconds remaining provided the final margin after Florida continued to push for a late comeback.

Tarasov was a key contributor in the victory, stopping 23 shots against the Panthers, the team he played for last season while serving as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup. His performance helped Detroit withstand Florida’s attempts to get back into the game.

Mazur, DeBrincat Lead Detroit’s Offensive Effort

Mazur gave Detroit an early spark by recording his first NHL goal to put the Red Wings ahead 1-0. Florida responded late in the opening period when Sam Reinhart scored his eighth goal of the season with 5:41 remaining, tying the game at 1-1.

DeBrincat restored Detroit’s lead early in the second period with his seventh goal of the season, putting the Red Wings ahead 2-1. Florida continued to battle, setting the stage for a back-and-forth contest before Detroit’s decisive third period goals. Faulk’s power play tally and Brandsegg-Nygård’s quick follow up ultimately separated the teams, while Finnie’s late empty-netter ensured the Red Wings finished the night with a two-goal victory.

Panthers Battle Back but Fall Short

Florida received goals from Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett but could not overcome Detroit’s late surge. Ekblad scored his first goal of the season and the third short handed goal of his 13-year NHL career, giving the Panthers an important contribution on special teams.

Bennett added his fourth goal of the season with 3:21 remaining, capitalizing on a 6-on-5 opportunity with Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk picking up assists. The late goal gave Florida hope of completing a comeback, but the Panthers could not find the equalizer before Finnie’s empty netter ended the threat.

Markstrom made 24 saves in his first appearance since Oct. 17, but the Detroit offense found enough opportunities to secure the win. The defeat snapped Florida’s three game winning streak. The Panthers never held a lead, leaving them to chase the game after Mazur opened the scoring and Detroit repeatedly responded to Florida’s attempts to even the contest.

Atlantic Division Remains Wide Open

Detroit’s latest victory extended its strong run to six wins in its last nine games, but the Red Wings remain tied for the fewest points in the Atlantic Division. The standings highlight just how competitive the division has become, with eight teams separated by only six points entering Monday’s action.

The Atlantic Division is currently the NHL’s closest race. By comparison, the other three divisions entered Monday’s games with an average gap of 15.7 points between first and last place. Detroit’s recent run has kept it firmly in contention as teams continue to jockey for position.

For the Red Wings, the challenge will be turning their recent momentum into a more consistent climb up the standings. For Florida, Monday’s loss offered a reminder of how quickly a game can turn when an opponent capitalizes on consecutive scoring opportunities.

Up Coming NHL Games

The Red Wings will look to build on their momentum when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. The Panthers return home Wednesday night to host the Chicago Blackhawks as they attempt to begin another winning streak.