Panthers Roll By Red Wings

     The Florida Panthers extended their winning streak to eight games as they knocked off the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night. It was the Panthers first game played since head coach Joel Quenneville resigned and was replaced by interim head coach Andrew Brunette. 

     The Panthers continue their short two-game road swing on Saturday at the Boston Bruins. There will be a tribute to former Panthers and Bruins player Jimmy Hayes prior to that contest. 

     The first period belonged to Florida(8-0-0) as they dashed out to a 2-0 lead. Eetu Luostarinen gave them a 1-0 lead at the 8:43 mark as he deflected a shot from the inner left circle. Alekander Barkov poked in  a goal from the left of the crease on an assist from Anthony Duclair with 1:11 to go in the first. 

     Detroit(4-2-2) made a comeback to even it up 2-2. Sam Gagner picked up his second tally of the year on a redirection from the inner right circle at 2:15 of the second period. Pius Suter chalked up his first goal of the season deflecting the puck from the low slot by Sergei Bobrovsky with 2:41 remaining in the third period. 

     The Panthers got the victory at the 3:29 mark of overtime. Jonathan Huberdeau connected a diagonal pass from above the left circle. Barkov raced in and scooped a backhand shot from the edge of the crease past Alex Nedeljkovic for his second goal of the contest and third goal of the campaign. It was Barkov's 35th game-winning goal with Florida and puts him one behind Olli Jokinen for the franchise record.