Panthers Lose in Overtime to Red Wings, Drop Their Last Three

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers dropped their third consecutive game on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings at Amerant Bank Arena. 

With the Red Wings on the power play in OT, captain Dylan Larkin scored his 18th of the season to give Detroit their 23rd win of the season.

The Panthers have lost their past two games in overtime. They sit at 27-13-4 with the result.

Here’s some takeaways from the game.

Yes, Sam Reinhart scored again

No. 13 scored, what else is new?

Sam Reinhart entered Wednesday’s contest second in the NHL with 32 goals — trailing just Auston Matthews (34).

Reinhart’s linemate Aleksander Barkov missed the game with a lower-body injury, so head coach Paul Maurice reunited Reinhart with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen — his linemates for most of last postseason.

The absence of Barkov was a big hole for the team to fill, but the Panthers’ leading scorer was able to continue what he’s done all season — score.

5:38 into the second period, Reinhart broke the deadlock with a short handed goal — his 33rd of the season. 

With the goal, Reinhart equaled his career-high, which he set in 78 games during the 2021-2022 season with the Panthers.

This time, it took just 44 games to hit 33. 

“It feels like he’s in the right spot all the time,” Lundell said of Reinhart. “He touches the puck and most of the time it’s in the net.”

Reinhart also scored his 500th career point on the play. 

Anton Lundell slots in the top line with Aleksander Barkov out

Florida never wants to play without their captain, especially with the dominant season he’s had centering the top line with Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues.

Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen moved up to the first line, joining Reinhart in the absence of Barkov.

While Barkov is impossible to replace, Lundell looked good given the situation he was put in.

The 22-year-old center picked up the primary assist on Sam Reinhart’s opening goal. Lundell snapped a three-game pointless streak with the helper. 

“I liked his game,” coach Paul Maurice said of Lundell. 

Lundell has points in two of his last five games after going nine straight games without a point in the stat sheet.

Panthers lose another game in overtime 

A late hooking penalty — a questionable one in the eyes of many in the arena — ended up being a killer for the Panthers Wednesday night.

Late in a tied game, Aaron Ekblad was called for a hooking penalty with 38 seconds remaining in regulation. 

Florida was able to get through the remainder of the third unscathed — picking up an OT point in their second straight game. But they’d still be at a disadvantage going into the extra frame.

Detroit’s power play carried over into overtime and despite the penalty killing efforts by Florida, the Wings were able to make the most of their 4-on-3 advantage off of Dylan Larkin’s 18th goal of the season. 

The Panthers have now lost back-to-back games in overtime, while dropping their past three games — all at home. 

“We’ve lost one. We’ve lost two in overtime,” Maurice said. “I’m disappointed. The thing I’m most frustrated with tonight I’m not answering.

This comes after Florida’s season best nine-game winning streak came to an end last week against New Jersey. 

Look ahead

Florida will be back one more time at home on Friday to wrap up their five-game homestand when the Minnesota Wild come to town. 

The Wild shutout the Panthers 2-0 on Oct. 12 in the first game of the season.