Matthew Tkachuk's hat trick lifts Panthers over Red Wings

Field Level Media|published: Fri 6th March, 22:07 2026

Mar 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) looks for a rebound in front of Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (36) in the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Matthew Tkachuk collected the sixth hat trick of his career as the Florida Panthers ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the host Detroit Red Wings on Friday.

Tkachuk's three-goal game was his first since Jan. 9, 2024, against St. Louis.

Sergei Bobrovsky, whose name was prominently mentioned in trade rumors but remained with the team through Friday's deadline, made 28 saves for the win.

Alex DeBrincat scored his team-leading 33rd goal for Detroit and John Gibson stopped 20 shots.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared to injure his leg when he lost his balance while skating into the Florida zone during the third period. He did not return.

Tkachuk opened the scoring with 8:54 remaining in the first period. He scored from in front after a gorgeous feed from Carter Verhaeghe from behind the net.

Detroit's Emmitt Finnie had a couple of quality scoring chances in the opening period but couldn't get the puck past Bobrovsky. Verhaeghe committed the only penalty of the period in the final minute.

Florida was whistled for two penalties within a 30-second span in the middle of the second period. The Wings evened the score during the 5-on-3 power play as Kane's shot from the slot hit the backboards, and DeBrincat tapped in the rebound with 9:04 remaining in the period. Larkin earned the second assist.

With Detroit's Jacob Bernard-Docker in the penalty box for hooking, the Panthers scored 35 seconds into the third period to regain the lead. Tkachuk redirected Sam Reinhart's shot from the left circle past Gibson to give Florida a 2-1 advantage. Brad Marchand had the second assist.

Tkachuk clinched his hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:52 remaining.

The Red Wings made one major move before Friday afternoon's trade deadline, adding defenseman Justin Faulk from St. Louis. He's expected to make his Detroit debut in New Jersey during the opener of a four-game road trip on Sunday.

The Panthers don't play again until the Red Wings visit on Tuesday.

--Field Level Media

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