Florida Panthers 8-1 Detroit Red Wings
After a disappointing season, the Florida Panthers ended the 2025/26 campaign on a high with a 8-1 thumping of the Detroit Red Wings.
Luke Kunin scored twice and added an assist for the hosts, while Michael Benning also contributed with a pair of goals himself. In total, 13 different Florida players were part of the goals in a dominant evening for them.
The Panthers end the year 14th in the Eastern Conference, having won their last three games. There will be a new Stanley Cup champion though, as they will not make it partake in the postseason this year. Their 276 goals conceded were the second most in the conference, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs' 299.
The Red Wings got their only marker of the game with 3:48 left in the second, with Justin Faulk getting them on the board. At that point, however, they were already down 5-0. The third period was more of the same for Detroit, who slumped to a third loss on the spin.
Despite being part of the playoff hunt for much of the season, the Wings once again failed to secure postseason hockey. They were among the lowest scorers in the East, with just three teams finding the back of the net less than their 241.
Buffalo Sabres 3-4 Dallas Stars (SO)
In a much more competitive outing, the Dallas Stars got their way past the Buffalo Sabres to defeat them 4-3 in a shootout.
Although they fell behind early to a Mavrik Bourque goal, the Sabres got their leveller through Josh Norris later on in the opening frame.
Buffalo then took the lead twice during the second, but were pegged back both times. First, Zach Benson scored a shorthanded goal, only for Esa Lindell to respond for the Stars on the power play. Alex Tuch then put the Sabres back in front later in the period, but once again, the hosts could not hold on. Justin Hrychovian made it 3-3 with a period still left to play.
No goals were scored in the third period, nor in overtime, resulting in a shootout to decide the winner. The first two Sabres shooters converted their attempts, while Dallas went into the third round down 2-1. That was where they flipped the script, as Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston both put their shots in, while Tuch and Josh Doan could not do the same.
Both teams finished second in their respective conferences, with the Sabres having claimed their division as well. The defeat ended a run of four wins on the spin. As for the Stars, they will enter the playoffs on a five-match run of victories.
Other results
Tampa Bay Lightning 2-4 New York Rangers
Ottawa Senators 3-1 Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 San Jose Sharks
Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 Seattle Kraken
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