DETROIT — In Sunday night’s matchup, Alex DeBrincat and J.T. Compher delivered crucial second-period goals, propelling the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Goalie Cam Talbot stood strong, making 32 saves to help maintain Detroit’s slim hopes of clinching a playoff spot, as they aim to break a nine-year postseason absence with only six regular-season games left.
Late in the game, the Panthers pulled their goaltender for an extra skater, and Anton Lundell capitalized by scoring with just 39.9 seconds on the clock, narrowing their deficit to one. However, the reigning champion Panthers were unable to overcome their struggles and have now dropped five consecutive games for the first time since 2017.
The initial period lacked energy, but DeBrincat capitalized on a power play in the second period to net his 35th goal of the season. Compher doubled the lead to 2-0 midway through, providing Detroit with a crucial cushion. Meanwhile, Vitek Vanecek stepped in for Florida, tallying 22 saves in relief of Sergei Bobrovsky, who was rested following a 19-save performance in their 3-0 defeat to Ottawa.
Despite a late surge of shots from Florida, Talbot’s performance proved too strong, thwarting any attempts by the Panthers to equalize. The game’s turning point came when DeBrincat, missing an earlier open net, redeemed himself by converting another chance during the same shift to score, reinforcing Detroit’s lead.
Talbot was a key figure in the first period, denying 10 shots that kept the Panthers at bay and set the stage for Detroit’s favorable second period.
For both teams, the following Tuesday night games will be crucial. The Panthers will host Toronto, hoping to regain momentum, whereas the Red Wings will face Montreal, with an opportunity to edge closer in the Eastern Conference wild-card race.