Detroit clawed back from a pair of deficits before defeating Florida 3-2 in overtime

Apparently, the Florida Panthers are a streaky bunch.

After winning nine straight games over the past several weeks, the Panthers have now dropped three in a row, all on home ice.

Similarly to Monday night against Anaheim, Florida was unable to hold a pair of leads against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, ultimately losing in overtime by a final score of 3-2.

For two teams that had only matched up once previously this season, all the way back on Nov. 2, the Panthers and Red Wings sure looked the part of two bitter rivals who truly despised each other.

A scoreless first period was full of scraps and scrums, though each team was only called for three minor penalties apiece.

Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk was involved in several of the skirmishes, to the surprise of absolutely no one.

Another thing that likely came as a surprise to few was Sam Reinhart scoring the game’s opening goal.

The shorthanded tally was Reinhart’s 33rd on the season, and it was also his fourth shorthanded goal this year, and it put Florida in front early in the second period.

Detroit briefly tied the game on a nice deflection by Michael Rasmussen, but Florida defenseman Gus Forsling gave Florida the lead right back just 16 seconds after after jumping on his own rebound and beating Lyon stick side.

A late third period hooking call on Aaron Ekblad, one that both Ekbald and Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice were visibly upset about, would ultimately cost the Panthers the game.

Dylan Larkin beat Bobrovasky from between the circles with Detroit on a 4-on-3 power play, sending the Panthers to their third straight loss.

Next up for Florida will be the Minnesota Wild on Friday night in Sunrise.

Here are some thoughts and observations from Wednesday’s battle with the Wings:

Reinhart’s shorthanded goal was also the 500th point of his NHL career.

Anton Lundell played one of his best games of the season, if not his best. He finished with an assist and four shots while winning five of his six faceoffs, and when looking at the advanced metrics, his line with Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen was nothing short of dominant at even strength.

Special teams did not do Florida any favors. They were 0-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill, with the lone blemish being Detroit’s overtime winner.

The Panthers played a nice video tribute to former goaltender Alex Lyon, who started in net for the Red Wings.

Tkachuk extended his point streak to ten games with an assist on Forsling’s goal He has 7 goals and 19 points during the run. 

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