Driedger gets third shutout as Panthers beat Lightning 4-0
Chris Driedger stopped 30 shots to record his third shutout of the season, Juho Lammikko scored a short-handed goal, and the Florida Panthers secured home-ice advantage for the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the regular season finale for both clubs.
Patric Hornqvist scores twice, Panthers rout Red Wings 7-2
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 19: Patric Hornqvist #70 of the Florida Panthers scores a first period goal past Thomas Greiss #29 of the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on February 19, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT โ Patric Hornqvist scored in the first and third periods to help the Florida Panthers start and finish strong in a 7-2 victory over the the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. After winning an NHL-low 17 games last season, the Red Wings are among the league's worst teams with 15 losses in 19 games. โThis was unacceptable.โWhen the Red Wings briefly had positive moments Friday night, they didn't last long. AdThe Panthers have won six straight on the road against the Red Wings and 11 of last 13 games overall against them.
Florida Panthers off to 2nd-best start in franchise history
Floridaโs 6-1-2 start through nine games is the second-best in franchise history, topped only by the 6-0-3 record to open the 1996-97 season. โWe've been consistent in most games," Florida coach Joel Quenneville said. Starting poorly, however, has pretty much snuffed out some Panthers seasons before they even started. The five Florida teams that went to the playoffs โ 1995-96, 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2011-12 and 2015-16 โ averaged 12 standings points through the seasonโs first nine games. Thereโs obviously a long way to go, but the Panthers finally have the start they wanted.
Givani Smithโs โGordie Howe Hat Trickโ helps Red Wings beat Panthers, 4-1
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, left, and Detroit Red Wings right wing Givani Smith fight during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)SUNRISE, Fla. โ Givani Smith had a goal and an assist as Detroit Red Wings won for the first time in nine games, beating the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Sunday. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (2021 Getty Images)Greiss, who moved to 1-7-2, stopped a three-on-one Florida break with the Red Wings ahead 2-1 in the third period. Sam Gagner notched his first assist with the Red Wings on the goal. After getting into four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, Marchment played left wing on the fourth line with right wing Noel Acciari and center Juho Lammikko. AdON THE MENDRed Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi was injured when Florida visited Detroit last week and is expected to miss a few more games.
Surging Panthers hold off reeling Red Wings 3-2
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 30: Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena on January 30, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT โ Patric Hornqvist, Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe scored and the Florida Panthers held off the Detroit Red Wings for a 3-2 win Sunday night. โGetting off to a good start enhances that attitude.โGreiss stopped 27 shots for the Red Wings, who have dropped six straight. The Panthers outshot the Red Wings 17-9 in the second period as they took control. The Red Wings play the Lighting on the road Wednesday night.