If the Detroit Red Wings are to remain in playoff position, they likely can’t afford more losses to teams well behind them in the Eastern Conference standings — like the Florida Panthers — or more injuries.
Looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly two months, the visiting Red Wings can also exact some revenge on the struggling Panthers on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Fla.
In the running for a top-three finish in the Atlantic Division or at least a wild-card spot, Detroit has gone 5-5-3 since its last back-to-back wins during a three-game stretch from Jan. 16-21. The Red Wings have an opportunity to break that streak after Sunday’s 3-0 victory over New Jersey.
Moritz Seider had a goal with two assists, James van Riemsdyk recorded one of each, Patrick Kane notched two helpers and John Gibson and Cam Talbot combined for 31 saves against the Devils.
“We all can handle pressure situations; we don’t want to sit back,” Seider said. “We want to play on our toes.”
Gibson has stopped 77 of 81 shots faced in his last four starts, but he exited Sunday following a crease collision, and his status remains uncertain. The Red Wings are already minus forward Dylan Larkin, who is day-to-day with a leg injury.
Talbot, meanwhile, has stopped 28 of 29 shots in two road appearances this month.
Prior to Sunday’s victory, Detroit fell 3-1 to Florida at home on Friday. Alex DeBrincat managed the Red Wings’ only goal while Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk recorded his sixth career hat trick.
The victory snapped a four-game skid for Florida, which is 3-9-0 since last winning consecutive contests as part of a three-game run from Jan. 22-25. Sitting on 65 points, the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who have dealt with a series of injuries to key players this season, were 11 points out of the final wild-card spot in the East entering play Monday.
“This is a weird year,” said Tkachuk, who has eight goals and nine assists in the 16 games he’s played since making his season debut on Jan. 19.
“We’re not going to make any excuses, but we all know one of the biggest reasons for why we are where we are is all the man games lost. I promise we’re going to be back again. Hopefully next year.”
The Panthers appear to want veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to be part of their plans in 2026-27. Florida did not trade him before last week’s deadline, and reportedly is interested in re-signing the 37-year-old pending free agent, who made 28 saves Friday against Detroit.
“There’s no other goalie we want to play in front of. He’s the backbone,” Tkachuk said of Bobrovsky, who is sporting a career-low .876 save percentage with a 3.08 goals-against average.
“He’s the biggest reason why we have two Stanley Cup rings.”
Florida backup Daniil Tarasov has allowed 15 goals during his four-start losing streak.
Seider was held without a point versus Florida last week, but he’s totaled seven in Detroit’s last seven games.
