Panthers Surprised By Red Wings

     The Florida Panthers fell to the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Sunday at BB&T Center. The Panthers finally lost a game in regulation after eight games since the start of the 2020-21 regular season. The Red Wings were able to snap an eight-game winless streak. 

     Florida had won eight consecutive games against the Red Wings. The Cats were unbeaten versus Detroit in their last 10 contests. 

     After a scoreless first period, Detroit(3-8-2) scored at 2:58 of the second period. Troy Stecher fired a shot from the top of the zone that bounced off Sam Gagner in the crease. Marc Staal came in and flicked a backhand shot by Chris Driedger for his first goal in a Red Wings uniform. It was Sam Gagner's first point of the season after seven games. 

     The Red Wings added to their lead 2-0 with 2:58 remaining in the second. Keith Yandle lost the puck in front of his own cage. Bobby Ryan backhanded it through the crease and Givani Smith tapped it in from the blue paint for his first tally of the year. 

     In the third period, Florida(6-1-2) cut it to 2-1 at the 2:09 mark. Frank Vatrano make a pass from the right wing up to Anton Stralman on the right point. His slap shot was deflected in by Alex Wennberg from the low slot past Thomas Greiss for his first goal in the Panthers jersey. 

     It became a two-goal margin agin for Detroit at 9:11 of the third. Stecher connected a pass from the right side to Smith in the high slot area. His snap shot was saved, however Robby Fabbri smacked in the puck from the top of the crease. Vladislav Namestnikov scored an empty-net goal with 2:42 left after the Panthers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.