Late Heroics Propel Panthers to Victory
Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals in the final 90 seconds to rally the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The thrilling finish at Amerant Bank Arena showcased the Panthers’ resilience, especially as they played without their two leading scorers, Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart.
The game was tightly contested, with the Red Wings holding a 3-2 lead late in the third period. However, the Wings let a third-period lead slip away in the final moments, ultimately falling to the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Verhaeghe’s first goal came with just 1.5 minutes remaining, leveling the score at 3-3. He followed up with the game-winner just 14.8 seconds before the final buzzer, sealing the victory for the Panthers.
Earlier in the game, Marco Kasper had scored a go-ahead goal for the Red Wings, while Justin Faulk netted his first goal with the team. Despite their efforts, the Red Wings were unable to maintain their lead.
In a concerning moment for Detroit, Andrew Copp left the game with a left leg injury after becoming tangled up with Tomas Nosek. His status remains uncertain following the game.
The loss has significant implications for the Red Wings, who now find themselves in a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 36-22-7. The Panthers improved their record to 31-29-3 with this win.
This matchup follows a previous encounter on March 6, 2026, where the Red Wings also fell to the Panthers, losing 3-1 at home.
Looking ahead, the Red Wings will face the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 12, 2026, while the Panthers will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on the same day.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of Copp’s injury and its impact on the Red Wings’ lineup moving forward.
