RECAP: Red Wings fall to Panthers, 5-2

DETROIT --The Detroit Red Wings fell to the Florida Panthers, 5-2, on Monday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Florida built a 2-0 lead in the first period before Pius Suter's goal with 5:23 remaining in the frame - his second in as many games - cut Detroit's deficit in half. The Panthers scored their third goal of the night in the middle period, but Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin brought the game back within one at 7:53 of the third. Florida pulled away with a pair of goals late in the final frame, securing a season sweep over Detroit.
"It's a 3-2 game with four minutes to go here," Andrew Copp said. "It's not like we got totally outplayed or anything like that, but it's hard night in and night out against these teams."
Goalie Ville Husso registered 20 saves for the Red Wings, who dropped to 30-30-9 (69 points) on the season. With the victory, the Panthers (36-27-7; 79 points) jumped into the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
"The margin of error is very thin," Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said. "It's frustrating. We need to hang in there."
Simon Edvinsson (undisclosed) was being evaluated for injury after leaving early in the third period, according to Lalonde. The 20-year-old Swedish defenseman later returned to the game.
"I give him credit for coming back," Lalonde said. "But he's got some uncomfort."
NEXT UP:The Red Wings will play the second half of a back-to-back set on Tuesday night, dropping the puck against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center.

SCORING SUMMARY

Florida 1, Detroit 0 (7:28, 1st period)
Matthew Tkachuk took Sam Bennett's pass after a Detroit turnover in the left face-off circle and fired it into the back of the net to kick off the scoring.
Florida 2, Detroit 0 (12:26, 1st period)
Carter Verhaeghe whipped a shot from the high slot through traffic that beat Husso to double Florida's first-period lead. Lalonde challenged Verhaeghe's goal, but the call on the ice stood after review.
Detroit 1, Florida 2 (14:37, 1st period)
Just seconds after killing off the Panthers power play, David Perron made an impressive deke but opposing netminder Sergei Bobrovsky stopped the 34-year-old forward's tuck attempt with his heel. However, Suter jammed the loose puck over the line for his 13th goal of the season. Jake Walman also picked up an assist.

Florida 3, Detroit 1 (11:33, 2nd period)
Gustav Forsling sent a blistering shot home from the point.
Detroit 2, Florida 3 (7:53, 3rd period)
Larkin got open at the side of the net and buried Lucas Raymond's feed for his team-leading 26th goal of the season on a delayed penalty. Copp recorded his 150th career NHL assist on Larkin's goal.
Florida 4, Detroit 2 (16:08, 3rd period)
Florida capitalized on a Detroit turnover when Eric Staal scored a 2-on-0 breakaway goal.
Florida 5, Detroit 2 (18:37, 3rd period)
Verhaeghe's power-play goal, his second tally of the night, capped Monday's scoring.

QUOTABLE

Lalonde on the Panthers' style of play
"They're a really good forechecking team. They stay on top of you. We turn pucks over and they have good sticks. They'll even hang in there a little extra and give up some odd-mans the other way. That's who they are."
Lalonde on Gustav Lindstrom's status
"Lindy is pretty close (to returning). Probably not 100 percent, may have to plug him in tomorrow. If not, it's whoever is available down in Grand Rapids to fill that spot."
Suter on playing with effort and energy
"It's on each of us to show up ready to play. Besides the effort level, we also need to play the right way, make the plays and play the system."