Detroit — A bad first period Saturday was too much to overcome for the Red Wings.
They fell behind early, found themselves struggling to get back in the game, and couldn’t come all the way back while losing 2-1 to Florida at Little Caesars Arena.
Thomas Vanek scored for the Wings, who were 0-for-4 on the power play including two opportunities in the third period.
The Wings (15-17-5) have only won three of their last 11 games (3-6-2). Florida (14-14-6) moved to within a point of the Wings in the Atlantic Division.
Vanek slid the puck around goaltender Roberto Luongo on a wraparound at the 10 minute mark of the second period, his fifth goal, cutting Florida’s lead to 2-1.