01/27/2015 at 10:10am EST
via Brian Hedger at NHL.com,
Season series: Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo earned wins in the first two games against the Detroit Red Wings, making 67 saves on 72 shots for a .930 save percentage. Center Pavel Datsyuk has a goal and two assists to lead the Red Wings.
Red Wings team scope: Detroit went into the break on a high note after winning five straight games. The Red Wings are 10-3-0 since losing six straight games in December, which has vaulted them back into the race for the Atlantic Division lead despite goalie Jimmy Howard's torn groin. Veteran backup Jonas Gustavsson is still recovering from a separated shoulder, so the starting role currently belongs to Petr Mrazek. The 22-year old has responded well; he's started all five games since Howard got hurt and is 4-0-0. Howard skated for about 20 minutes at practice Monday and hopes to return in the original 3-4 week timeline. Forward Tomas Jurco (back) practiced, but is questionable. Forward Johan Franzen (upper body) didn't practice and is out. Defenseman Jakub Kindl (elbow) may come off injured reserve, but isn't likely to play over rookie Xavier Ouellet.
Panthers team scope: Florida stumbled into the break winless in the past four games. The Panthers earned one of eight possible points in that span, which helped widen the gap between themselves and the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.. The Panthers (50 points) are seven points back of the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins, the East's current wild-card holders. Defense and Luongo's goaltending are keeping their odds of making the postseason alive at this point. Florida's 107 goals ranks 25th in the League, but the Panthers are in the top half of the NHL (13th) in goals allowed (122). Coach Gerard Gallant said Monday that injured forward Shawn Thornton (groin) is getting close to returning, but probably won't play against Detroit.
TEAM STATS
|
GP |
RECORD |
HOME |
ROAD |
L10 |
G/GP |
GA/GP |
PP% |
PK% |
PIM/GP |
S/GP |
SA/GP |
FO% |
|---|
 |
47 |
27-11-9 |
16-4-6 |
11-7-3 |
8-2-0 |
2.92 |
2.38 |
25.4 |
84.6 |
8.2 |
30.1 |
27.1 |
53.9 |
 |
44 |
20-14-10 |
9-7-4 |
11-7-6 |
4-5-1 |
2.32 |
2.64 |
12.8 |
81.5 |
9.2 |
31.3 |
30.3 |
49.3 |
DETROIT RED WINGS
The NHL and teams supply these notes on a daily basis and today the Wings section is blank. I will try to check later today to see if the information is added and will update if it is.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
AGAINST THE RED WINGS
Tonight's game marks the 31st meeting between the two teams with Florida posting a 9-13-5-3 all-time record against the Red Wings.
The Panthers own a 3-8-2-2 home record against Red Wings. Florida has won their first two games against Detroit this season. Tonight marks the third of four meetings this season between the two clubs. The two clubs close out their season series Mar. 19 in South Florida.
2014-15 SERIES vs. DETROIT: 2-0-0 (0-0-0 at Home)
2013-14 SERIES vs. DETROIT: 3-2-0 (1-2-0 at Home)
ALL-TIME RECORD vs. DETROIT: 9-13-5-3 (3-8-2-2 at Home)
LAST GAME: Dec. 12, 2014 vs. DET 3-2 (SOW)
FLORIDA-DETROIT CONNECTIONS
Florida F Tomas Fleischmann was selected by Detroit in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft. Florida Head Coach Gerard Gallant played 563 games for Detroit (1984-93) and recorded 467 points (207-260—467). Gallant recorded four 70-plus point seasons, including his most successful year in 1988-1989 when he registered a career high 93 points (39-54—93). Panthers F Tomas Kopecky was drafted by Detroit in the second round (38th overall) of the 2000 NHL Draft. Kopecky won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings (2008) and recorded 32 points (12-20—32) in 183 games. Red Wings F Stephen Weiss was drafted by Florida in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2001 NHL Draft. Weiss' 654 games (2001-13) as a Panther ranks as the most games by any player in a Panthers uniform.
CATS VS. RED WINGS
F Sean Bergenheim: 11 GP vs. DET, 7 pts. (5-2—7)
F Nick Bjugstad: 7 GP vs. DET, 3 pts. (2-1—3)
F Brad Boyes: 33 GP vs. DET, 22 pts. (10-12—22)
F Jonathan Huberdeau: 7 GP vs. DET, 3 pts. (2-1—3)
F Jussi Jokinen: 18 GP vs. DET, 15 pts. (3-12—15)
D Brian Campbell: 31 GP vs. DET, 16 Pts. (2-14—16)
G Roberto Luongo: 32 GP vs. DET, (13-13-5)
G Al Montoya: 1 GP vs. DET, (1-0-0)
DOWNING THE WINGS
In their two meetings this season, the Cats have been victorious both times in Detroit. In the first meeting on Dec. 2, the Cats won 4-3. D Aaron Ekblad recorded the game-winning goal in the contest. In the second meeting in Detroit on Dec. 12, the Cats won 3-2 in a shootout. Florida has bested Detroit in three out of the last five contests between the two clubs.
NAVIGATING THE ATLANTIC
The Panthers have only lost one game in regulation to an Atlantic Division rival this season (1-0 L, Oct. 13 vs. OTT), holding a 7-1-4 mark against the Atlantic Division.
EK'S ON FIRE
With five points (1-4—5) in his last nine games, D Aaron Ekblad continues to extend the Florida franchise scoring record for rookie defensemen (25 pts.).
Passed D Ed Jovanovski's franchise record for points (21, 1995-96) Jan. 4 at WSH.
Passed D Dmitry Kulikov's franchise record for assists by a rookie defenseman (13, 2009-10) Dec. 20 at PIT.
Tied F Pavel Bure (2000) and F Olli Jokinen (2003) for most points in an All-Star Game for a Panther (4) Jan. 25. at ASG.
Ranks first among rookie defensemen in points (25), goals (6-T) and assists (19).
Ranks tied for second on Florida in points (5-20—25).
Ranks second on Florida with a plus-seven rating.
Ranks first among all rookies in blocked shots (45).
Ranks second among all rookies in TOI (22:03).
Ranks third among all rookies in assists (19).
Ranks tied for fourth among all rookies in scoring (5-20—25).
Career-high five game point streak (3-4—7) [Dec. 1-Dec. 8].
Reached career high 26:05 TOI Dec. 12 at DET.
On the ice for 48 of Florida's goals this season, the highest total for all Panthers players and all rookie defensemen.
Named NHL Third Star of the week (week ended Dec. 7).
HOW THE PANTHERS WERE BUILT
Draft (6): Barkov, Bjugstad, Ekblad, Gudbranson, Huberdeau, Kulikov
Trades (6): Campbell, Hayes, Kopecky, Luongo, Olsen, Pirri
Free Agency (11): Bergenheim, Bolland, Boyes, Fleischmann, Jokinen, MacKenzie, Mitchell, Montoya, O'Brien, Thornton, Upshall
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