Carter Verhaeghe leads Panthers' comeback win over Red Wings

Florida rallies from 3-2 deficit in final minutes to defeat Detroit

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Carter Verhaeghe scored the tying and go-ahead goals in the final 1:30 of regulation as the Florida Panthers rallied for a 4-3 home victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. Down 3-2, Florida pulled the goalie and Verhaeghe found the net twice to complete the comeback win.

Why it matters

The win is crucial for the Panthers, who are struggling near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings after back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning seasons. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are in the midst of a playoff push, making this a key divisional matchup.

The details

Vinnie Hinostroza opened the scoring for Florida in the first period, but Detroit tied it in the second and took a 2-1 lead late in the frame. The Red Wings extended their advantage to 3-2 in the third before Verhaeghe's heroics. Florida's Niko Mikkola had tied the game at 2-2 earlier in the third period.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 11, 2026 in Sunrise, Florida.
  • Verhaeghe scored the tying goal with 1:30 remaining in regulation.
  • Verhaeghe scored the go-ahead goal in the final seconds of regulation.

The players

Carter Verhaeghe

A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored the tying and go-ahead goals in the final minutes to lead his team to victory.

John Gibson

The goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings who made 24 saves in the losing effort.

Vinnie Hinostroza

A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored the opening goal of the game.

Andrew Copp

A forward for the Detroit Red Wings who left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury.

Marco Kasper

A forward for the Detroit Red Wings who scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to make it 3-2.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to close out games like this. This is a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for the next one.”

— John Gibson, Goaltender, Detroit Red Wings (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

The Panthers will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their push to climb out of the Eastern Conference basement. The Red Wings, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back as they fight for a playoff spot.

The takeaway

This game showcased the resilience of the Panthers, who refused to give up despite trailing late. Verhaeghe's clutch performance highlights the team's ability to rally in crunch time, a trait that could prove crucial as they try to turn their season around.