Red Wings vs Panthers: GDU, Lineups, Keys to the Game

Joshua Pickering

• 2 min read Front Page

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Lineups

Detroit

Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi - Dylan Larkin - Robby Fabbri
Luke Glendening- Valtteri Filppula - Filip Zadina
Darren Helm - Frans Nielsen - Adam Erne
Justin Abdelkader - Christoffer Ehn - Givani Smith
Scratches: Brendan Perlini

Defense
Patrik Nemeth - Mike Green
Trevor Daley - Filip Hronek
Madison Bowey - Alex Biega

Goalies
Calvin Pickard
Jimmy Howard

Florida

Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Evgenii Dadonov
Brett Connolly - Vincent Trocheck - Noel Acciari
Frank Vatrano - Dominic Toninato - Mike Hoffman
Jayce Hawryluk - Brian Boyle - Colton Sceviour

Defense
Michael Matheson - Aaron Ekblad
Riley Stillman - Anton Stralman
Keith Yandle - Josh Brown

Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky
Chris Driedger

Keys to the Game

1. Test Bobrovsky

Bobrovsky continues to struggle to find his previous all-star form from Columbus at his new digs in Florida. The Russian netminder has posted a .896 SV% and a 3.29 GAA so far this season. In his last 7 starts he’s only had a SV% above .900 twice and has given up 3 or more goals in all but one of those games. The Red Wings need to take advantage of him while they can because the rest of Florida’s lineup is pretty lethal and Detroit may have to try and outscore their problems in this one.

2. Survive the Florida Scoring Depth

Florida has strong scoring depth at the top of their lineup with 6 forwards scoring 14 or more goals already this season. This group is going to get their chances, but the Wings need to do their best to try and limit them as best they can. Don’t give up easy chances or make unforced turnovers. Especially with Pickard in net, who has had trouble at the NHL level this season, his teammates need to help ease the load for him.

3. Stay Out of the Box

This sort of goes hand in hand with Key #2. With an abundance of players that can score, the Panthers also have an elite powerplay currently moving along at a 24.3% success rate, good enough for 5th in the league. Combine that with Detroit’s league worst 72.6% penalty kill rate and this game could get out of hand quick if the Wings get into penalty trouble. On the flip side though, Florida’s penalty kill isn’t great either at 77.9% and 23rd in the league. Still, Detroit’s 15.2% (28th) rate on the powerplay doesn’t put them into position to go tit for tat on penalties with the Panthers.