The Florida Panthers resumed their schedule and continued their slide with a 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
The defeat was the fifth in a row for Florida as it remains in ninth place in the conference standings. The Panthers are three points ahead of tenth and seven points back of the final playoff spot.
Things started well for the Panthers as they scored a pair of goals in the first period to go up 2-1. Four goals from Detroit in the second period however proved to be the difference in this one.
Aleksander Barkov scored the first goal of the game for the Panthers and it came during a power play. It was the fifth goal of the season for Barkov and it was assisted on by Nick Bjugstad and Aaron Ekblad.
Just about a minute later, Brandon Pirri added his fifth goal of the season. This goal came during a power play as well with assists going to Brian Campbell and Jussi Jokinen.
After the aforementioned barrage of Detroit goals, the Panthers got one of their own late into the second period. Bjugstad put home his 16th goal of the year with an assist from Ekblad and Barkov.
Trailing by two in the third period, Brad Boyes' tenth goal of the year gave Florida some hope. Barkov assisted on this one as well in a three-point day for the center.
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All five of Detroit's goals came while All-Star Roberto Luongo was on the ice. Luongo only stopped 12 of the 17 attempts sent his way. Al Montoya would take over and come away with ten saves in as many chances.
The Panthers will be back in action on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 p.m.
