One would have thought the Red Wings would have had a decent shot at ending the season on a positive note.
After all, the Florida Panthers were without 16 players on the injured list. It was a big reason why the two-time Stanley Cup champs weren’t able to try for three Cups in a row this year.
Instead, the Panthers came out firing, taking a 5-0 lead in the second period en route to an 8-1 victory.
Mike Benning, whose father was on the first Panthers team, scored the first two goals of his NHL career in the second period. That gave Florida a 4-0 lead and put the game out of reach.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was held out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury he aggravated against Tampa Bay on Monday.
As a result, Travis Harmonic saw his first action since early February, giving him a chance to get some more time on ice before heading to free agency this summer.
So, too, did Justin Faulk, who scored Detroit’s only goal.
John Gibson, who was going for his 30th win of the season, left the game in the second period after he was hit in the helmet by the puck, He did not return.
Key Moment
]The end of the game marked a pair of farewells besides the Red Wings. It marked the final game broadcast by FanDuel Sports Network. It also marked the final broadcast for radio analyst Paul Woods after 40 years.
Key Stat
The Red Wings fell out of playoff contention by losing seven of their last 10 games, including three of four at home down the stretch.
Next up
NHL Draft Lottery on May 5. NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, June 25-27