The Detroit Red Wings (13-7-5) head to take on the Florida Panthers (12-10-4) at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Detroit is coming off a 4-2 win over the Lightning on Tuesday, their fourth win in a row away from home. Four players found the net for the Red Wings.
Andrew Copp and Filip Hronek both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Ville Husso saved an impressive 44 of 46 shots (.956%) in the win. Florida fell 5-2 to the Jets on Tuesday. Zac Dalpe and Carter Verhaeghe both scored once for the Panthers. Spencer Knight started in the loss and saved only 12 of 15 shots (.800%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Panthers won all four games between the teams last season, including a 5-2 victory in their final meeting in April, their sixth straight win against Detroit. Mason Marchment (1G 1A) and Jonathan Huberdeau (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Florida. Pius Suter led Detroit with two points (0G 2A). Sergei Bobrovsky got the win, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933%).
FACING OFF
Detroit is averaging 3.20 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.35 goals a game (21st). Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.42 times a game on average, ninth in the league, and the Red Wings are allowing opponents to score 3.04 goals per game (14th).
Florida averages more shots per game (38.2) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.1% shooting percentage ranks 27th. With an average of 30.4 attempts, Detroit ranks 21st. Expect several power play opportunities for the Red Wings, as the Panthers have been penalized 4.81 times a game, fifth-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.81 minutes (12th-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.44 penalties (4th-fewest in the league) and 7.08 penalty minutes a game (3rd-fewest).The Red Wings’ 21.74% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Panthers are 23rd with a conversion rate of 20.20%. When it comes to penalty killing, Detroit has the league’s 13th-ranked PK% at 78.87%, while Florida is 21st at 76.53%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 26 and 25 points this season, Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik have been the top skaters for the Red Wings. In the net, Husso (10-4-3) is Detroit’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.58 GAA and a .912% save percentage.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 35 points (7th in the league). He has 12 goals and 23 assists (9th) in 24 games. Knight (8-3-3) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.49. He has a save percentage of .923%, fifth-best in the league.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 6-3-2 away from home this season. Florida is 6-2-3 at FLA Live Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Florida Panthers -1.5 (+120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
