SUNRISE, Fla. - In a thrilling finish, Carter Verhaeghe delivered two clutch goals in the final 90 seconds, propelling the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
The Red Wings seemed poised for a win, holding a lead for most of the game. Marco Kasper had put Detroit ahead 3-2 shortly after Florida’s Niko Markkola tied things up early in the third period. But Verhaeghe had other plans, equalizing with just 1:30 left and then sealing the deal with a game-winner at 14 seconds remaining.
This loss stings for the Red Wings, who now face Tampa Bay on Thursday as their road trip continues. Detroit had been a strong 24-1-3 when leading after two periods this season, making this defeat particularly tough.
Red Wings Slip in Standings
With Montreal edging out Toronto 3-1, the Red Wings slipped to fourth in the Eastern Conference, now trailing the Canadiens by a point.
Florida got on the board first with a goal from Vinnie Hinostroza midway through the opening period. Patrick Kane responded for Detroit, leveling the score early in the second.
Justin Faulk, a recent acquisition from St. Louis, made his mark with a backhand goal at 12:59, his first for the Red Wings.
Kasper’s goal added another milestone to his storied career, tying him with Joe Mullen for fourth place among U.S.-born players with 502 goals.
Detroit faced adversity beyond the scoreboard, missing center Dylan Larkin and losing Andrew Copp to injury after he assisted on Faulk’s goal. Copp’s awkward fall after a faceoff saw him helped off the ice.
Goaltender John Gibson returned to action, stopping 24 shots after leaving Sunday’s game against New Jersey.
Florida had its own challenges, playing without Brad Marchand, who was sidelined due to a lingering lower-body injury that might end his season.
These teams will face off once more this season, wrapping up their series in Florida on April 15.