Red Wings beat Panthers 4-1 as Appleton scores twice, Talbot 21 saves

Detroit Red Wings center Mason Appleton scored twice and goaltender Cam Talbot made 21 saves as the Red Wings defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-1 on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Appleton opened the scoring early in the second period and added an empty-net goal late to seal the win. Patrick Kane also scored on a power play and Michael Rasmussen added an empty-netter in the closing seconds. Brad Marchand answered for Florida with a second-period wraparound, but the Panthers were limited to one goal on 21 shots.

Detroit converted on a 5-on-3 opportunity when Kane fired a wrist shot past Sergei Bobrovsky midway through the second period. Bobrovsky finished with 21 saves for Florida. The Red Wings got a team defensive effort that included timely shot blocking and support in front of Talbot, who recorded his third straight strong outing.

The loss deepened a troubling stretch for Florida on the road. The Panthers began the season with three consecutive home wins but have struggled away from Amerant Bank Arena, managing just a lone goal in the visit to Detroit and failing to find sustained offensive traction on this road trip. Before...