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GAME DAY: Wings vs Panthers, Datsyuk returns |
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GAME DAY: Wings (15-9-7) vs. Panthers (9-17-5)
The Wings will have a chance at a rematch against the Panthers in Florida tonight. The Panthers upset the Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday. Dan Cleary scored early to give the Wings the lead but the Panthers scored two straight to earn the win.
PAV’S BACK
Pavel Datsyuk is expected to make a much-anticipated return to the Red Wings lineup against the Panthers. The Wings are 5-2-0 in the seven games Datsyuk missed but in spite of the winning record, his presence was obviously missed.
Datsyuk will join Johan Franzen on the top line. Franzen has four points in his last five games and has taken full advantage of an augmented role throughout the recent injury problems plaguing the Wings. Todd Bertuzzi will also be on the top line seeking his first point since returning from injury two games ago.
The Wings should be happy to be on the road. They boast the best record in the conference, going 10-3-1 away from Joe Louis Arena.
Jimmy Howard will get the start tonight against the Panthers. After being passed over in favor of Jonas Gustavsson for Saturday night’s start, expect a strong outing from Howard. Gustavsson has only one loss in regulation this season and some argue that the backup should be seeing more ice time. Howard is 6-8-6 with a 2.70 GAA so far this season.
After playing his former team for the first time Saturday, Stephen Weiss will play his first game against the Panthers in Florida. Something tells me he won’t have to worry about playing through fan reception. The Panthers are 27th in league attendance this year averaging just 13, 901 per game. You heard it here first; tonight’s the night Wiess scores for the first time since October 14th (one can hope right?).
There are a lot of positive things happening for the Wings lately. In the face of injury trouble that could seriously decimate many teams’ records, the Wings have managed to find ways to win. Players like Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, and Johan Franzen have stepped up and scored in the absence of the Wings’ leading scorers.
When looking at the big picture however, they aren’t that far removed from the seven game winless streak that haunted them in mid November. The loss against the Panthers Saturday was the kind of loss that happens once in a while. The lesser team clicks and the favorite can’t get anything going. It’s the kind of game to shake off and look forward.
Tonight’s game, though against the same struggling opponent, is important. The Wings have lost two of their last three games and if that record slips to three out of their last four against some very beatable teams it can be a major blow to team confidence.
PANTHERS PREVIEW
After beating the Wings on Saturday, the Panthers took on the league leading Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks went three for four on the powerplay en route to a 6-2 victory at home. The Panther pulled within one during the second period, but the Hawks promptly scored three straight to put the final nail in the coffin.
On Saturday night against the Red Wings, the Panthers managed to keep the Wings scoreless on the powerplay and only allowed four shots. Tonight, the Red Wings will be one weapon stronger on the powerplay with Datsyuk’s return, and unless the Panthers want a repeat of their game at the Madhouse on Madison, they’ll need to stay out of the box or keep the Wings powerplay at bay.
PROJECTED LINES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
RED WINGS
Franzen – Datsyuk – Bertuzzi
Abdelkader – Weiss – Alfredsson
Tatar – Andersson – Nyquist
Cleary – Emmerton – Miller
Kronwall – Ericsson
Quincey – Smith
Lashoff – Kindl
Jimmy Howard (starting)
Jonas Gustavsson
Injuries: Zetterberg, Helm, Dekeyser
PANTHERS
Huberdeau – Bjugstad – Upshall
Bergenheim – Barkov – Boyes
Fleischmann – Goc – Kopecky
Barch – Matthias – Hayes
Campbell – Gilbert
Gudbranson – Olsen
Kulikov – Weaver
Tim Thomas (starting)
Scott Clemmenson
Injuries: Jovanovski, Gilroy
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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