Overview
- Florida snapped a four-game losing streak to keep its playoff hopes alive, though it remains eight points behind Boston for the final Eastern wild-card spot.
- Matthew Tkachuk recorded his sixth career hat trick, his first since Jan. 9, 2024, giving him eight goals in 16 games since returning Jan. 19 from offseason adductor and sports hernia surgery.
- Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots in his first start after the Panthers chose not to trade the veteran goaltender at Friday’s deadline.
- Detroit captain Dylan Larkin left midway through the third period with an apparent leg injury and did not return, with no immediate update on his condition.
- Alex DeBrincat scored his team-high 33rd for Detroit as John Gibson made 20 saves, while Tkachuk netted the go-ahead power-play tip 35 seconds into the third period and added an empty-netter with 1:52 left.