SUNRISE, Fla. — Dylan Larkin contributed significantly to the Detroit Red Wings’ impressive form by netting two goals as they triumphed over the Florida Panthers with a score of 5-2 on Thursday night.
Larkin, along with Jonatan Berggren and Patrick Kane, each scored during power-play opportunities for Detroit. Marco Kasper also found the back of the net, while Cam Talbot showcased his skills by stopping 40 shots on goal. This victory marks the Red Wings’ eighth win in their last nine contests, reflecting their solid performance this season.
For the Panthers, Anton Lundell and Evan Rodrigues managed to score, but the team has struggled recently, now sitting at 4-6-1 over their past eleven games. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had a challenging night, being pulled from the game in the second period after allowing four goals on just 15 shots, with Spencer Knight stepping in as his replacement.
Larkin capped off the win with an empty-net goal with just 1:22 remaining on the clock, sealing the game for Detroit. This result is particularly striking as Florida had previously dominated the matchup, going 12-0-1 in their last 13 encounters against the Red Wings.
In terms of highlights, the Red Wings have excelled in their power-play opportunities, largely since Todd McLellan took over as coach. Kane’s goal in the second period marked the Red Wings’ 17th power-play goal from their last 32 chances, a remarkable turnaround from the 17 goals they scored in 78 chances before this hot streak.
For the Panthers, Bobrovsky was pulled after Kasper’s goal with 4:19 left in the second period, marking the second in-game goalie switch this season, the first being a similar situation against Minnesota on Oct. 22.
A noteworthy moment from the game came when Larkin assisted on Kasper’s goal, which marked his second multi-point period this season, with his previous performance occurring during a game against Buffalo on Nov. 2.
Statistically, teams that achieve at least three power-play goals in a single game are enjoying a strong record of 27-4-1 this season, underscoring the importance of special teams in today’s NHL.
Looking ahead, the Red Wings will continue their four-game road trip on Saturday against Tampa Bay, while the Panthers will wrap up their two-game homestand against Anaheim on the same day.
