The Detroit Red Wings had one of their better starts — and it was nowhere near good enough to deal with an elite opponent.
The Wings had jump, and they generated chances Sunday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena, but the Florida Panthers showed why they're in contention for the Presidents' Trophy. They doubled their leads twice in short amounts of time and also scored shorthanded to come away with a 6-1 victory.
It was the third game in a six-game stretch against opponents who have clinched a playoff spot. The Wings won the first, but have one goal in their past two combined.