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Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak

Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) tries to clear the puck against Detroit Red Wings center Marco Kasper (92) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk had his sixth career hat trick and the Florida Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on Friday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Eight points behind Boston for the final wild-card spot in the East, two-time defending champion Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since Los Angeles in 2014-15.

Tkachuk had his first hat trick since Jan. 9, 2024, against St. Louis. He has eight goals in 16 games this season. He made his season debut Jan. 19 after recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves after the Panthers chose not to deal the 37-year-old goalie before the deadline Friday.

Alex DeBrincat scored his team-high 33rd goal for Detroit. John Gibson made 20 saves.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin suffered an apparent leg injury when he fell awkwardly in the Florida zone midway through the third period. He skated slowly back to the boards and went immediately into the locker room.

Tkachuk scored 35 seconds into the third period on a power play to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Parked near the left goalpost, he redirected Sam Reinhart’s shot from the left circle past Gibson.

Tkachuk added an empty-netter from his own zone with 1:52 left.

Up next

Panthers: Host Detroit on Tuesday night.

Red Wings: At New Jersey on Sunday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak | iNFOnews.ca
Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp (18) avoids Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) to move the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak | iNFOnews.ca
Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) and Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) battle for the puck while avoiding a referee, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak | iNFOnews.ca
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) shoots on goal against Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Matthew Tkachuk has hat trick, Panthers beat Red Wings 3-1 to end 4-game losing streak | iNFOnews.ca
Detroit Red Wings left wing J.T. Compher, left, is pressured by Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) while passing the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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The Associated Press

Dana Gauruder

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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