Wings give up late lead, fall in OT

Detroit — The Red Wings are getting used to overtimes.

But this time, the result wasn't to their liking, losing 2-1 to the Florida Panthers as Brian Campbell scored at 1 minute, 20 seconds of overtime to rally the Panthers.

It was the fourth consecutive overtime game for the Red Wings and sixth in the last seven games (ninth overall).

They've won three of those six games, likely leaving a point or two on the table they'll like to have later this season.

BOX SCORE: Panthers 2, Red Wings 1 (OT)

Sunday's loss, though, was one the Red Wings didn't feel particularly good enough.

"We can play much better than we played," coach Jeff Blashill said. "It seemed like we just didn't have enough energy, and didn't win enough puck battles or races."

The Red Wings fell to 12-8-4 (28 points), although they did move past Boston into third place in the Atlantic Division, while the Panthers are 10-9-4 (24 points).

For the fifth time in the last seven games, the Red Wings also lost a third-period lead.

"Everyone is frustrated with the loss," said Dylan Larkin, who scored the lone Red Wings' goal. "It seems like it's happening more and more (losing late leads). We have to bear down and close out the game."

Reilly Smith tied it 1-1 for the Panthers with his sixth goal.

Campbell's shot from the point bounced off Smith's body and past goalie Petr Mrazek at 14:38 of the third period.

"He (Campbell) put it wide on the net and it went off Smith's skate, or leg," Mrazek said. "It's tough when you (the team) don't score, but Florida is a good team and they're playing well.

"One goal wasn't enough today."

The Panthers' Smith scored what appeared to be an early goal just 28 seconds into the game. But it was ruled no-goal because of goalie interference against Mrazek.

"I tried to go up and the guy (forward Jonathan Huberdeau) just pushed me into the net," Mrazek said.

From there, Mrazek frustrated the Panthers all afternoon — he was a key factor in the Red Wings killing five Panthers power plays — until Smith's late goal.

But the Red Wings, also, struggled with the man advantage, failing on all four power-play attempts including two in the third period.

The Red Wings failed to mount much pressure at all on the consecutive power plays, allowing Florida an opportunity to get back in the game.

"Some nights you have to score that last goal," Blashill said. "On those power plays, you have to score and we didn't."

Larkin broke a scoreless tie at 7:02 of the second period.

Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov's careless pass landed directly on Larkin's stick just inside the blue line.

Larkin went in alone on goalie Roberto Luongo, and beat Luongo with his NHL rookie-leading 10th goal.

"He didn't expect me there," Larkin said. "He was going by me and I was about to get back, but I saw him pass the puck pretty soft and it was right on my stick.

"It was good to have that one."

The Panthers had a golden opportunity to get back in the game with a 1:27 two-man advantage, but Mrazek and the Red Wings denied any quality scoring chance.

Ultimately, though, the Red Wings didn't do enough to pull away from the Panthers and it cost them a point in the standings.

"Ugly game," captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "Lots of specialty teams, lots of penalties. It was tough to get any flow going."

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

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