Panthers Push By Red Wings

     The Florida Panthers held off the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 at Little Caesars Arena on Friday night. The Panthers played the first of four road straight road contests in four different time zones. The Cats begin a stretch of nine of their next 11 games on the road. 

     Detroit(16-14-7) attacked quickly and got up 1-0 just 1:05 into the first period. Jonatan Berggren found the net for the sixth time this season. 

     Florida(18-18-4) responded just over one minute later at the 2:33 mark. Gustav Forsling fired a slap shot from long range for his sixth goal of the campaign. Eric Staal chalked up his seventh assist while Givani Smith collected his first assist and first point with his new club. 

     The Panthers converted on two power-play opportunities later in the contest. Aaron Ekblad scored at 6:28 of the second period and he made it 3-1 at the 8:11 mark of the third period. 

     The Red Wings closed it to 3-2 with 3: 43 remaining in the third. Robby Fabbri got his first goal of the year in just his second game he has participated in during 2022-23.