Dylan Larkin's overtime goal lifts Detroit Red Wings to 3-2 win over Florida Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. — As they've worked their way into the playoff picture, the Detroit Red Wings have grown accustomed to playing from behind.
They did so again Wednesday at Amerant Bank Arena, taking on their Atlantic Division rival Florida Panthers. The Wings trailed by a goal going into the third period, but extended their point streak to seven consecutive games and earned a 3-2 victory when Dylan Larkin scored in overtime. The victory edged the Wings into third place in the Atlantic Division.
Alex Lyon made 32 saves through regulation against his former team. Michael Rasmussen provided a second-period goal, his 10th of the season and used his big frame in the third period to win a puck battle and set up Robby Fabbri's 13th goal of the season. Defenseman Olli Määttä assisted on both goals.
Patrick Kane was unavailable because of a lower-body injury but the Panthers were also without one of their best players in Aleksander Barkov (injured).
Penalties galore
Lyon was strong early, before the first period degenerated into a parade to the penalty box. J.T. Compher and Ryan Lomberg traded roughing penalties at 10:54; a minute later, Ben Chiarot and Matthew Tkachuk got into it in a scrum by Detroit's goal. Less than a minute after that, Brandon Montour was called for slashing Shayne Gostisbehere, sending the Wings on a power play. Gostisbehere had the Wings'' only chance during the man advantage, ripping a slap shot that Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside. Gostisbehere was sent off for roughing at 16:45, and Lyon turned away Montour's shot during the Panthers' power play.
Wings give up shortie
Montour landed in the penalty box again four minutes into the second period, sending the Wings on a second power play. Daniel Sprong gave the puck away on the first man-advantage shift but the costlier one was the second one. Attempting to move the puck into Florida's zone, Dylan Larkin lost the puck to Dmitry Kulikov, who set in motion a play that ended with Sam Reinhart scoring at 5:38.
Momentum swings
Andrew Copp extended his point streak to five games (assist, then goals in three straight outings coming into Wednesday) with a strong couple shifts in the second period. He fired a shot that was blocked by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and ended up in the netting. On the ensuing faceoff, Copp won the draw against Kevin Stenlund, and Määttä picked up the puck. He fired a shot that Rasmussen tipped with his stick, tying the game at 11:40. The momentum lasted just 16 seconds, though, as the Panthers came right back and moved ahead on a goal from Gustav Forsling.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her @helenestjames.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
Next up: Hurricanes
Matchup: Red Wings (22-16-5 entering Wednesday) vs. Carolina (24-14-5).
Faceoff: 7 p.m. Friday; Little Caesars Arena, Detroit.
TV/radio: Bally Sports Detroit; WXYT-FM (97.1).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dylan Larkin's OT goal lifts Detroit Red Wings to 3-2 win vs. Panthers