Red Wings cap disastrous season with 8-1 loss in Florida
It wasn't a pleasant way for the Red Wings to end their season.
Sunrise, Fla. - Not a pleasant way for the Red Wings to end this season. Having been eliminated from playoff contention last weekend and seeing their playoff drought reach an NHL-high 10 consecutive years, the Wings put a stamp on the season Wednesday with an 8-1 loss to Florida.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who also will miss the playoffs after a litany of injuries (but only have one less victory than the Wings, 41-40), dressed a lineup predominately of their minor leaguers and blitzed the Wings from the start. The Wings finished the season 41-31-10, with 92 points. They went 8-12-4 in their final 24 games, earning only 20 of 48 points, which set them tumbling from the top of the Eastern Conference standings - to out of the playoff picture.
Justin Faulk scored his 16th goal (fifth with the Wings) for the lone Wings' offense. Goaltender John Gibson started and allowed four goals on 15 shots before being replaced by Cam Talbot midway in the game. Mike Benning had the first two goals of his career, Luke Kunin had two goals and Vinnie Hinostroza, A.
J. Greer (power play), Cole Schwindt and Cole Reinhardt added Panthers goals. The Panthers scored four goals in a span of over seven minutes in the second period, turning a 1-0 game into a 5-0 blowout.