ANTON LUNDELL

Joe Thornton’s career may be over.

Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist, and the Florida Panthers topped the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Thursday night to even their Eastern Conference first-round series at a game apiece.

Anton Lundell scored twice and the Florida Panthers extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 6-1 rout of the Detroit Red Wings.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings contained Florida in the first period Sunday, then the Panthers showed why they are the hottest and most explosive team in the NHL. Pius Suter spoiled Knight’s shutout bid with 7:56 remaining in the third period, scoring his 14th goal. This is the 14th time the Red Wings have allowed six or more goals. The Red Wings (29-37-10) are halfway through a rugged six-game stretch against several of the top teams in the league. The Panthers’ second-period outburst featured a pair of goals 1:30 apart early and then two more just 28 seconds apart later.

Anton Lundell scored twice, Aleksander Barkov had three assists and the Florida Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-2 to close a five-game homestand.

The Florida Panthers are the top offensive team in the NHL while the Detroit Red Wings are near the bottom of the league in goals against. The Panthers built a four-goal lead barely halfway through the game and cruised past the Red Wings 6-2 at BB&T Center. The Red Wings dropped back-to-back games in the Sunshine State and dropped two games below .500 (excluding overtime/shootout losses) for the first time this season (24-26-6). The Panthers scored twice on the power play – Anthony Duclair at 11:00 and Anton Lundell at 18:02 – to lead 3-1 after one period. The Panthers were averaging 4.06 goals per game entering the night while the Red Wings were tied for 28th in goals against per game (3.56).

Anthony Duclair scored twice, Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and four assists, and the Florida Panthers romped to a 9-3 rout of the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell scored in a shootout, and the Florida Panthers continued their string of comebacks by rallying from three one-goal deficits to beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3.

The Florida Panthers have matched the best 11-game start in NHL history.