NHL Preview: Detroit Red Wings (13-7-5) at Florida Panthers (12-10-4)

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DETROIT RED WINGS NOTES:

LAST GAME
RED WINGS 4 at TAMPA BAY 2 (12/6/22)
1ST PERIOD: No scoring
2ND PERIOD: DET Rasmussen (Kubalík, Hronek) 1:54-EV
3RD PERIOD: DET Berggren (Määttä, Veleno) 5:59-EV; TB Stamkos (Hedman, Perry) 14:52-EV; DET Erne (Copp) 16:22-EN; TB Point (Killorn, Kucherov) 17:34-EV; DET Perron (Copp, Hronek) 19:35-EN
SHOTS: DET 26 (12-7-7) / TB 46 (11-5-30)
GOALIES: DET Husso (W, 44-46) / TB Vasilevskiy (L, 22-24)
PP: DET 0-1 / TB 0-2

MAN GAMES LOST (games missed / out since)
Robby Fabbri – lower body (25 / Oct. 10)
Jakub Vrána – personal (23 / Oct. 17)
Tyler Bertuzzi – upper body (16 / Nov. 30)
Filip Zadina – lower body (14 / Nov. 5)
Matt Luff – upper body (12 / Nov. 8)
Elmer Söderblom – lower body (12 / Nov. 8)
Gustav Lindström – lower body (11 / Nov. 12)
Total Man Games Lost: 122
Individual Man Games Lost: Oskar Sundqvist (7), Michael Rasmussen (2)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
12/2 – Reassigned defensemen Donovan Sebrango and Eemil Viro from Grand Rapids to Toledo (ECHL)
12/1 – Assigned goaltender Magnus Hellberg to Grand Rapids for conditioning … Recalled forward Austin Czarnik from Grand Rapids … Placed forward Tyler Bertuzzi on injured reserve

TONIGHT’S GAME
RED WINGS at PANTHERS / 7:30 P.M. EST / FLA Live Arena / TV: ESPN+, Hulu / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
TONIGHT: 64th all-time meeting, 34th at Florida … First of three games this season, only game at Florida
ALL-TIME vs. FLA: 25-21-5-12 / AWAY: 16-12-3-3 / LAST 10: 2-6-2 / IN 2021-22: 0-3-1 / THIS SEASON: 0-0-0
DET top scorers vs. FLA: Dylan Larkin (9-14-23 in 29 GP), Dominik Kubalík (4-5-9 in 12 GP), Pius Suter (4-3-7 in 11 GP), Gustav Lindström (0-2-2 in 3 GP)
FLA top scorers vs. DET: Aleksander Barkov (14-24-38 in 35 GP), Eric Staal (7-13-20 in 27 GP), Sam Reinhart (9-9-18 in 24 GP), Aaron Ekblad (4-14-18 in 30 GP), Chris Tierney (4-7-11 in 15 GP), Matthew Tkachuk (3-5-8 in 10 GP), Carter Verhaeghe (4-4-8 in 12 GP), Sam Bennett (4-4-8 in 14 GP), Brandon Montour (1-7-8 in 14 GP), Colin White (1-5-6 in 11 GP), Anton Lundell (4-0-4 in 3 GP), Aleksi Heponiemi (1-0-1 in 2 GP), Josh Mahura (1-0-1 in 2 GP)

UPCOMING GAMES (ALL TIMES EST)
Saturday, Dec. 10: RED WINGS at STARS / 2:00 p.m. / American Airlines Center / TV: NHLN, BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
Tuesday, Dec. 13: RED WINGS vs. HURRICANES / 7:00 p.m. / LITTLE CAESARS ARENA / TV: BSD / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM
Wednesday, Dec. 14: RED WINGS at WILD / 7:30 p.m. / Xcel Energy Center / TV: TNT / RADIO: WXYT 97.1 FM

LAST TIME OUT
Dec. 6 at Tampa Bay – 4-2 W
Detroit captured a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay to improve to 13-7-5 overall and 6-3-2 on the road … The game was head coach Derek Lalonde’s first matchup against Tampa Bay after serving as an assistant coach with the club from 2018-22 … Lalonde helped Tampa Bay win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021, in addition to clinching four-straight postseason berths and three-consecutive Prince of Wales Trophies … The result marked Detroit’s fourth-consecutive road win dating back to Nov. 17 at San Jose … It marks Detroit’s longest road winning streak since earning four-straight victories from Jan. 2-10, 2016 … Detroit is 3-1-0 in its last four road games against Tampa Bay since April 4, 2021 … Ville Husso made a season-high 44 saves – including 28 in the third period – to improve to 11-4-3 with a 2.54 goals-against average, a 0.916 save percentage and three shutouts in 18 appearances … Husso has surrendered two-or-fewer goals in nine of his 11 victories with Detroit … Michael Rasmussen opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season … Jonatan Berggren gave Detroit a 2-0 lead with his third goal of the season … Berggren has eight points (3-5-8) in 12 games to begin his NHL career … Adam Erne scored what proved to be the game-winner for his fourth goal of the campaign … It marked Erne’s first GWG of the season and sixth of his NHL career … David Perron, who skated in his 998th career NHL game, added an empty-netter for his eighth goal of the season … Perron has 12 points (3-9-12) and a plus-seven rating in 11 games since Nov. 12 at Los Angeles … In total, Perron ranks fourth among Detroit skaters with 20 points (8-12-20) through 25 games … Filip Hronek dished out a pair of assists for his sixth multi-point game in his last eight contests (4-8-12 in 8 GP) … Hronek tied Dominik Kubalík for the team lead with his seventh multi-point game of the campaign … Hronek has six assists over his last four appearances … Hronek has recorded 16 points (6-10-16) and a plus-nine rating in his last 11 games dating back to Nov. 12 at Los Angeles … Hronek continues to lead all Detroit blueliners with 24 points (6-18-24) and a plus-13 rating through 25 games … Hronek (4-11-15 in 11 GP) set a franchise record for the longest season-opening road point streak (11 GP), eclipsing Sergei Fedorov who set the mark in 1993-94 (9-10-19 in 10 GP) … Hronek also became the second defenseman in NHL history to post a road point streak of 11-or-more games from the start of a season (4-11-15 in 11 GP), joining Paul Coffey who notched a point in each of Edmonton’s first 12 road games in 1986-87 (4-16-20 in 12 GP) … Andrew Copp also finished with a pair of assists, giving him five points (1-4-5) in four games since Nov. 30 vs. Buffalo … Copp has totaled 16 points (3-13-16) through 25 games to begin the 2022-23 season … Copp ranks second among Detroit skaters with 15 even-strength points (2-13-15), trailing only Dylan Larkin (4-12-16) … Kubalík picked up an assist on Rasmussen’s goal, giving him 25 points (10-15-25) through 25 games … Kubalík became the first Detroit skater to average a point-per-game through their first 25 career contests with the franchise since Marián Hossa in 2008-09 (14-14-28 in 25 GP) … Kubalík’s assist extended his point streak to three-straight games (1-2-3 in 3 GP) … Olli Määttä tallied an assist on Berggren’s goal, giving him three helpers in his last two games … Joe Veleno also had an assist on Berggren’s goal, giving him two assists in his last four appearances … Detroit is 8-2-4 this season when scoring first, and 3-0-2 when doing so on the road … The Red Wings are 10-0-2 this season when leading after two periods, and 5-0-2 when doing so on the road … Detroit is 7-0-2 this season when scoring four-or-more goals, and a perfect 5-0-0 when doing so on the road.

FIL THE THRILL

  • Filip Hronek ranks among the team leaders with six goals (5th), 18 assists (1st), 24 points (3rd), a plus-13 rating (1st), two power play goals (T4th), 10 power play points (2nd), 55 shots (4th) and 22:15 average time on ice (2nd) through 25 games.
  • Has recorded six multi-point games in his last eight contests (4-8-12 in 8 GP). He also has 16 points (6-10-16) and a plus-nine rating in 11 games dating back to Nov. 12 at Los Angeles.
  • Set a franchise record for the longest season-opening road point streak (4-11-15 in 11 GP), eclipsing Sergei Fedorov who set the mark in 1993-94 (9-10-19 in 10 GP).
  • Became the second defenseman in NHL history to post a road point streak of 11-or-more games from the start of a season, joining Paul Coffey who notched a point in each of Edmonton’s first 12 road games in 1986-87 (4-16-20 in 12 GP).
  • Also became the third Red Wings defenseman to post a road point streak of 11-or-more games, following Brian Rafalski (12 GP in 2007-08) and Paul Coffey (15 GP in 1994-95).

NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

  • Filip Hronek totaled 14 points from Nov. 3-30 (6-8-14 in 13 GP), which were the most by a Red Wings defenseman in a calendar month since Nicklas Lidström in December 2010 (8-8-16 in 16 GP).
  • Had a career-high four-game goal streak from Nov. 17-25 (5-2-7 in 4 GP) and six-game point streak from Nov. 12-25 (6-4-10 in 6 GP).
  • His four-game goal streak matched the longest goal streak by a defenseman in franchise history, joining Mathieu Schneider (4 GP in 2005-06), Nicklas Lidström (4 GP in 2000-01) and Reed Larson (4 GP in 1980-81).
  • Became the first Red Wings defenseman to record six goals in a six-game span since Reed Larson did so from Jan. 29-Feb. 8, 1981 (6-3-9 in 6 GP).
  • Scored a pair of goals – including his first career GWG – on Nov. 19 at Columbus for his first career multi-goal game.

SWEDISH MAFIA KEEPS GROWING

  • Jonatan Berggren has recorded eight points (3-5-8) in 12 games to begin his NHL career.
  • Became the eighth Red Wings rookie in the past 30 years to record six-or-more points through their first nine contests, joining Lucas Raymond (4-5-9 in 2021-22), Moritz Seider (0-8-8 in 2021-22), Filip Zadina (1-5-6 in 2019-20), Taro Hirose (1-6-7 in 2018-19), Dennis Cholowski (2-4-6 in 2018-19), Dylan Larkin (2-5-7 in 2015-16) and Henrik Zetterberg (3-3-6 in 2002-03).
  • Registered seven points (4-3-7) in seven games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to begin the 2022-23 campaign.
  • Made his North American professional debut with the Griffins in 2021-22 and set franchise records for a rookie in assists (43), points (64), game-winning goals (7) and overtime goals (3) in 70 games.
  • Named AHL Rookie of the Month for April after totaling 20 points (6-14-20) in 14 contests. He finished the season with 26 points (7-19-26) in his last 18 games, including a season-high 11-game point streak (6-13-19) to close out the year.

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND

  • Lucas Raymond has tallied 13 points (7-6-13), four power play goals, three game-winning goals and a 20.6 shooting percentage in 18 games since Oct. 29 vs. Minnesota.
  • Became the third member of the 2020 NHL Draft class to reach the 30-goal mark, joining Tim Stützle (44) and Alexis Lafrenière (36).
  • Has five career game-winning goals, trailing only Steve Yzerman (8), Dylan Larkin (6) and Alex Delvecchio (6) for the most GWGs in franchise history at age 20 or younger.

BIG VILLE STYLE
Detroit acquired goaltender Ville Husso from St. Louis in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft (Aleksanteri Kaskimäki) on July 8 and subsequently signed him to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

  • Ville Husso has posted three shutouts in 18 games with the Red Wings, tying Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck for the league lead. Husso had three shutouts in 57 appearances with the Blues from 2020-22.
  • Became the third Red Wings/Falcons/Cougars goaltender with three shutouts prior to his 15th appearance with the franchise, joining Hap Holmes (4 in 1926-27) and Dolly Dolson (3 in 1928-29).
  • Has allowed two goals or fewer in nine of his 11 victories with Detroit.
  • Stopped all 29 shots he faced in his Red Wings debut on Oct. 14 vs. Montreal, becoming the second goalie in franchise history to post a shutout in his team debut, joining Dave Gatherum who did so on Oct. 11, 1953 vs. Toronto.

EARLY RETURNS
Detroit forwards Andrew Copp, Austin Czarnik, Dominik Kubalík, Matt Luff and David Perron, and defensemen Ben Chiarot, Robert Hägg and Olli Määttä have made an immediate impact to begin the 2022-23 season. The eight players, all signed as free agents by the Red Wings in July, have combined for 82 points (28-54-82) through the first 25 games of the campaign.

  • Ben Chiarot netted his second goal of the season on Nov. 19 at Columbus. He recorded a goal and an assist on Oct. 15 at New Jersey for his first multi-point game in a Detroit uniform.
  • Andrew Copp has tallied five points (1-4-5) in his last four games since Nov. 30 vs. Buffalo. He ranks second among Detroit skaters with 15 even-strength points (2-13-15), trailing only Dylan Larkin (4-12-16).
  • Austin Czarnik tallied a goal on Nov. 8 vs. Montreal and Dec. 4 at Columbus. The Metro Detroit native has also racked up 14 points (6-8-14) in 12 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
  • Robert Hägg ranks among the team leaders with 33 hits (7th) and 17 blocks (T7th). He registered an assist on Oct. 21 at Chicago and Oct. 25 vs. New Jersey.
  • Dominik Kubalík places among the team leaders with 10 goals (1st), 15 assists (3rd), 25 points (2nd), five power play goals (1st), 12 power play points (1st), one overtime goal (1st) and 75 shots (2nd) through 25 games. He became the first Detroit skater to average a point-per-game through their first 25 career contests with the franchise since Marián Hossa in 2008-09 (14-14-28 in 25 GP).
  • Matt Luff (IR) earned his first goal/point with Detroit on Nov. 6 against the New York Rangers. He registered seven points (3-4-7) in five appearances with Grand Rapids to begin the 2022-23 season.
  • Olli Määttä has registered 10 points (2-8-10) and a plus-11 rating through 25 games. With a pair of assists on Dec. 4 at Columbus, he surpassed his scoring total from the 2021-22 campaign in 42 fewer games (1-7-8 in 66 GP with Los Angeles).
  • David Perron has totaled 20 points (8-12-20) in 25 games, including a pair of game-winning goals. Perron, who recorded his 400th career NHL assist on Nov. 12 at Los Angeles, has notched 12 points (3-9-12) in his last 11 contests.

GERMAN ENGINEERING

  • Moritz Seider set career highs in assists (3) and points (3) in his 100th NHL game on Nov. 19 at Columbus.
  • Recorded six points (2-4-6) in a five-game stretch from Nov. 17-28.
  • Became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to register 60-or-more points (9-52-61 in 107 GP) at age 21 or younger, joining Steve Chiasson (15-48-63 in 139 GP), Reed Larson (19-42-61 in 89 GP) and Nicklas Lidström (11-49-60 in 80 GP).
  • Also moved past Nicklas Lidström (11-49-60 in 80 GP) for the most assists by a Detroit defenseman before age 22.
  • Netted his first goal of the season on Nov. 17 at San Jose, which proved to be the GWG. He led all NHL rookie defensemen with four game-winners in 2021-22.

MICHIGAN MEN
The Red Wings have four Michigan-born players on their active roster in forwards Andrew Copp (Ann Arbor), Austin Czarnik (Washington Township) and Dylan Larkin (Waterford), and defenseman Jordan Oesterle (Dearborn Heights).

  • Andrew Copp recorded 81 points (40-41-81) in 107 games at the University of Michigan from 2012-15, serving as team captain during his junior season. Prior to his collegiate career, Copp skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2010-12.
  • Austin Czarnik attended Romeo High School before playing with the NTDP from 2008-10.
  • Dylan Larkin was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year after logging 47 points (15-32-47) and penalty minutes in 35 games at Michigan during the 2014-15 campaign. He was also selected to both the 2014-15 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team, in addition to being named an AHCA Second Team All-American. Larkin previously skated with the NTDP from 2012-14.
  • Jordan Oesterle attended Dearborn Divine Child High School before tallying 34 points (7-27-34) in 113 games at Western Michigan University from 2011-14. He helped the Broncos win a CCHA tournament championship as a freshman.

LOVE TO ‘C’ IT

  • Dylan Larkin is in his third season as Detroit’s captain and eighth NHL campaign. He was named the 37th captain in franchise history on Jan. 13, 2021, becoming the first Michigander and native metro Detroiter to wear the ‘C’ for the Red Wings, assuming a captaincy that had been vacant for two seasons following the end of Henrik Zetterberg’s career in 2017-18 due to injury.
  • Ranks among the team leaders with nine goals (2nd), 17 assists (2nd), 26 points (1st), a plus-seven rating (T4th), four power play goals (T2nd), nine power play points (3rd), one shorthanded goal (T1st) and 83 shots (1st) through 25 games.
  • Has racked up nine points (2-7-9) in nine games dating back to Nov. 17 at San Jose.
  • Currently places 22nd on the franchise’s all-time points list (see list below):
  1. Vyacheslav Kozlov – 415 career points with Detroit
  2. Igor Larionov – 392
  3. Dylan Larkin – 384
  4. Johan Franzén – 370
  5. Marcel Dionne – 366
  6. Shawn Burr – 362

CAPTAIN CLUTCH

  • Dylan Larkin tallied his 156th career NHL goal on Nov. 23 vs. Nashville. He is currently two goals shy of tying Kris Draper for 22nd place on the franchise’s all-time list (see list below):
  1. Mickey Redmond – 177 career goals with Detroit
  2. Red Kelly – 162
  3. Kris Draper – 158
  4. Dylan Larkin – 156
  5. Ray Sheppard – 152
  6. Bruce MacGregor – 151
  • Larkin recorded his 228th career NHL assist on Dec. 3 vs. Vegas, passing Marcel Dionne for sole possession of 22nd place on the franchise’s all-time list (see list below):
  1. Syd Howe – 248 career assists with Detroit
  2. Gary Bergman – 243
  3. Dylan Larkin – 228
  4. Marcel Dionne – 227
  5. Marcel Pronovost – 217
  6. Shawn Burr – 214
  • Larkin scored his fourth career shootout-deciding goal on Nov. 25 vs. Arizona, passing Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar for the sixth-most in franchise history. He trails only Pavel Datsyuk (11), Todd Bertuzzi (7), Henrik Zetterberg (7), Frans Nielsen (6) and Jiri Hudler (5).
  • Also has seven career overtime goals, which is tied with Herbie Lewis and Henrik Zetterberg for the fifth-most in franchise history. He trails only Sergei Fedorov (12), Brendan Shanahan (9), Steve Yzerman (9) and Pavel Datsyuk (8).

2022-23 INDIVIDUAL STATS
Most Goals: 2, Sundqvist, Nov. 30 vs. BUF; Hronek, Nov. 19 at CBJ; Raymond, Oct. 29 vs. MIN; Perron, Oct. 17 vs. LA
Most Assists: 3, Seider, Nov. 19 at CBJ
Most Points: 3, Larkin/Seider, Nov. 19 at CBJ; Perron, Nov. 17 at SJ; Kubalík, Oct. 23 vs. ANA; Perron, Oct. 17 vs. LA; Larkin, Oct. 15 at NJ; Rasmussen, Oct. 14 vs. MTL
Most SOG: 9, Larkin, Nov. 25 vs. ARI
Most PIM: 7, Rasmussen, Nov. 25 vs. ARI
Most TOI: 27:44, Seider, Nov. 6 at NYR
Most Hits: 6, Erne, Oct. 31 at BUF; Määttä, Oct. 27 at BOS; Hägg, Oct. 15 at NJ
Most Blocked Shots: 6, Chiarot, Nov. 23 vs. NSH; Hägg, Oct. 15 at NJ
Most Saves: 44, Husso, Dec. 6 at TB
Longest Goal Streak: 4, Hronek, Nov. 17-25
Longest Assist Streak: 5, Perron, Nov. 12-23
Longest Point Streak: 6, Hronek, Nov. 12-25
2022-23 REGULAR SEASON HIGHS AND LOWS

DETROIT OPPONENT
Most GF, Game 7, Nov. 17 at SJ 8, twice (MR: Nov. 10 vs. NYR)
Fewest GF, Game 1, twice (MR: Dec. 3 vs. VGK) 0, three times (MR: Nov. 23 vs. NSH)
Most GF, Period 4, twice (MR: Nov. 17 at SJ, 3rd) 6, Nov. 10 vs. NYR, 3rd
Most SOG, Game 45, Nov. 30 vs. BUF 46, twice (MR: Dec. 6 at TB)
Most SOG, Period 25, Oct. 14 vs. MTL, 1st 30, Dec. 6 at TB, 3rd
Fewest SOG, Game 18, Oct. 31 at BUF 21, Nov. 12 at LA
Fewest SOG, Period 1, Oct. 29 vs. MIN, 3rd 3, Oct. 21 at CHI, 1st
Most PPG, Game 3, Oct. 23 vs. ANA 3, Oct. 27 at BOS
Most PIM, Game 15, Nov. 25 vs. ARI 35, Nov. 8 vs. MTL
Fewest PIM, Game 2, three times (MR: Dec. 3 vs. VGK) 4, four times (MR: Dec. 6 vs. TB)
Fastest Consec. Goals 0:13, Oct. 14 vs. MTL (Rasmussen, Määttä) 0:35, Oct. 27 at BOS (Marchand, Smith)
Fastest Goal, Start of Game 1:20, Nov. 30 vs. BUF (Berggren) 0:09, Nov. 12 at LA (Grundström)
Fastest Goal, Start of Period 1:20, Nov. 30 vs. BUF, 1st (Berggren) 0:09, Nov. 12 at LA, 1st (Grundström)
Longest Win Streak – Overall: 4, Nov. 17-25 / Home: 3, Oct. 29-Nov. 5 / Road: 4, Nov. 17-present
Longest Winless Streak – Overall: 4, Nov. 8-15 / Home: 3, Nov. 28-present / Road: 3, Oct. 21-31
Longest Point Streak – Overall: 5, twice (MR: Nov. 15-25) / Home: 4, Oct. 29-Nov. 8 / Road: 5, Nov. 15-present

WAITING IN THE WINGS
Tonight’s edition features a pair of Detroit prospects invited to the United States National Junior Team selection camp to help determine the roster for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The camp will be held at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, from Dec. 12-17. Shai Buium, D (36th overall/2021)

  • Has recorded eight points (1-7-8) and a plus-four rating in 16 games during his sophomore season at the University of Denver.
  • Collected 18 points (3-15-18) and a plus-20 rating in 39 games as a freshman, helping the Pioneers win an NCAA Frozen Four title. Red Savage, C (114th overall/2021)
  • Has tallied eight points (4-4-8), a plus-one rating and 12 penalty minutes in 14 games as a sophomore at Miami University.
  • Played for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, logging three points (2-1-3) in five appearances

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Anthony Duclair | Games Missed: 26
  • F Aleksander Barkov | Games Missed: 6
  • F Anton Lundell | Games Missed: 2
  • D Radko Gudas | Games Missed: 1
  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 1
    Total Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 57

LAST GAME
Panthers 2, Jets 5 – Dec. 6 – Canada Life Centre
FLA Goals: Verhaeghe (15-PPG), Dalpe (1)
WPG Goals: Scheifele (14-PPG), Connor (9, 10), Scheifele (15-PPG), Lowry (5)
FLA Goalie: Knight (L) – 12 Saves, Bobrovsky – 14 Saves
WPG Goalie: Hellebuyck (W) – 39 Saves
FLA Shots: 41
WPG Shots: 31
Notes: Zac Dalpe made his season debut and scored his first goal of the campaign…Chris Tierney made his Panthers debut and notched an assist…Matt Kiersted (0-1-1) recorded his first point of the season…Carter Verhaeghe tallied a goal for the second straight game, extending his point streak to three games (3-1-4)…Verhaeghe matched his career high with eight shots on goal…Matthew Tkachuk posted an assist, extending his point streak to three games (2-4-6)…Brandon Montour logged an assist for the second consecutive game…Eric Staal registered a season-high six shots on goal…Florida produced 25 shots on goal in the 2nd period, their 2nd-most shots in a period this season…FLA PP: 1-4, FLA PK: 2-4

RECENT TRANSACTIONS:

  • Dec. 5: F Zac Dalpe and D Matt Kiersted recalled from Charlotte (AHL)
  • Dec. 4: F Patric Hornqvist placed on LTIR | F Chris Tierney recalled from Charlotte (AHL) on an emergency basis
    PANTHERS vs. RED WINGS
    ALL-TIME vs. DET: 33-19-5-6
    ALL-TIME HOME vs. DET: 15-11-2-5
    2021-22 vs. DET: 4-0-0
    CATS STATS
  • Aleksander Barkov has produced 38 points (14-24-38) over 35 career games vs. Detroit.
  • Sergei Bobrovsky owns a 21-6-1 career mark against Detroit over 29 games, including a .937 save percentage and 1.89 goals against average.
  • Carter Verhaeghe is expected to skate in his 200th NHL game tonight.

HOME SWEET HOME
Tonight, the Panthers return to FLA Live Arena following a five-game road swing. Florida owns a 6-2-3 home record this season for a .682 home points percentage that ranks fifth among NHL teams. On home ice in 2022-23, the Cats lead all clubs in shots on goal per game (39.4) and seventh in average goals for per game (3.73). Six different Panthers are currently averaging at least one point per game this season at home: Matthew Tkachuk (1.6), Aleksander Barkov (1.44), Brandon Montour (1.2), and Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe (1.0 each). Spencer Knight owns a 4-2-2 record at FLA Live Arena this season with a .920 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average, while Sergei Bobrovsky owns a 2-0-1 home record.

CATS AND WINGS
Florida will host Detroit for the first time this season tonight after the Cats swept their season series in 2022-23 (4-0-0). The Panthers have won each of their past six games against Detroit dating to March 30, 2021, and have earned a victory in 16 of their past 18 matchups (16-2-0) since Dec. 22, 2018. Additionally, Florida has won each of their past five home games against the Red Wings dating to Feb. 9, 2021 and in eight of their past nine (8-1-0) contests against Detroit since March 10, 2019. Last season, the Panthers outscored the Red Wings 20-7 over four matchups. Aleksander Barkov led Florida with eight points (3-5-8) over the four games, while eight Panthers totaled at least four points. Sergei Bobrovsky went 3-0-0 vs. DET last season, producing a .929 save percentage and 1.96 goals against average.

POWER UP
The Panthers have scored four power-play goals over their past two games and eight over their past seven contests. Their 29.6% [8/27] power-play success rate since Nov. 23 ranks 10th among NHL teams over that span through games played Dec. 6. The Panthers are one of five NHL teams to score at least three power-play goals in a game twice this season (Nov. 23 vs. BOS, Dec. 3 at SEA). Florida’s 21 power-play tallies rank tied for ninth-most among clubs in 2022-23.

PUCKS ON NET
The Panthers, who led the NHL in shots on goal in each of the past two seasons, once again pace the League with 1,006 SOG, the only team with over 1,000 thus far in 2022-23.

CHUCKIE’S CHEESE
Matthew Tkachuk has produced six points (2-4-6) over his past three games. Through his first 24 games with Florida, Tkachuk leads the team in assists (23), points (35), even-strength points (23), power-play points (12), multi-point games (12) and shots on goal (100). He also paces Florida with 16 home points (5-11-16), including seven multi-point outings over 10 games at FLA Live Arena this season. It took Tkachuk just 22 games to reach the 30-point mark, the fewest games required to achieve 30 points with the team in franchise history. The 24-year-old posted a point in five straight games (4-6-10) from Nov. 15-23, his second point streak of five games this season. His two points (1-1-2) Nov. 23 vs. BOS represented his 100th career multi-point game. Tkachuk led Florida with a plus-four rating Nov. 15 vs. WSH, the second time this season he has posted such a rating. His first assist in the game marked his 400th NHL point. Per NHL stats, Tkachuk was the second player from the NHL Draft to reach the mark, joining fellow American Auston Matthews (266-206—472 in 423 GP). He required the fourth-fewest games to reach 400 points among active American-born NHLers.

EK’S GON’ GIVE IT TO YA
Aaron Ekblad logged his 611th career blocked shot Dec. 6 at WPG, surpassing Dmitry Kulikov for the most blocked shots in franchise history (since the NHL began tracking in 2005-06). Ekblad logged an assist and a game-high 27:17 TOI Dec. 3 at SEA to tie Keith Yandle for second-most assists by a Florida blueliner. He logged his 200th NHL assist Nov. 29 at CGY to cap his point streak at five games (3-4-7 from Nov. 20-29), tied for the longest by a Panthers skater this season. He was the third blueliner to reach 200 assists with Florida. Ekblad notched his 199th career assist Nov. 28 at EDM for his 300th NHL point (101-198-299). He was the first Panthers defenseman to reach the mark with Florida and the first blueliner from the 2014 draft class to post 300 points. He scored his 100th career goal Nov. 23 vs. BOS and produced a season-high three points (1-2-3). He is the first defenseman in franchise history to reach 100 goals. Ekblad scored his 100th NHL goal in his 563rd game, and per NHL stats only Erik Karlsson (477 GP) hit the mark in fewer games among all active defensemen. The Windsor, Ontario native is five games shy of surpassing Robert Svehla (573) for most games played by a defenseman in club history.

MR. CARTER
Forward Carter Verhaeghe has scored three goals over his past two games and produced four points (3-1-4) over his past four contests. He tallied his fourth power-play goal of the season and matched his career high with eight shots on goal Dec. 6 at WPG. Verhaeghe posted his team-leading fifth multi-goal game tonight at SEA. His goals came :26 seconds apart, tied for the third-fastest two goals scored by one player in franchise history. He paces Florida in goals (15) and even-strength goals (11) and he has produced 23 points (15-8-23) over 26 games in 2022-23, which ranks second on the team. He posted a point in four straight games from Nov. 3-9 (4- 3-7). Over his past 18 games, Verhaeghe has amassed 12 goals and 18 points (12-6-18). The Toronto, Ontario native’s eight total multi-point games and 17 even-strength points each rank tied for second-most on Florida with Sam Bennett.

BENNY AND THE CATS
Forward Sam Bennett matched his career high with three assists Dec. 3 at SEA, and he logged his second multi-goal game of the season (2-0-2) Dec. 1 at VAN. He has amassed 16 points (6-10-16) over his past 14 contests. He also produced three assists while skating in his 500th NHL game Nov. 17 vs. DAL. Bennett’s five third-period tallies are tied for the team lead with Matthew Tkachuk. He has registered eight multi-point games this season, tied with Carter Verhaeghe for second-most on the team. The Holland Landing, Ontario native’s 81 shots on goal are third-most on Florida and his 64 hits lead Florida forwards.

‘HART OF GOLD
Forward Sam Reinhart produced at least one point in five consecutive games (2-5-7) from Nov. 23-Dec. 1, tied for the longest point streak on Florida this season. He scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games from Nov. 15-19, behind only Anthony Duclair and Evgenii Dadonov (4 games each) for the longest PPG streak in franchise history. Reinhart’s five power-play tallies are the most on Florida this season, and he has logged seven power-play points. He recorded his first two goals of the season Nov. 6 at ANA and led Florida with seven shots on goal in the game. He has produced 13 points (7-6-13) over his past 15 games. The West Vancouver, B.C. native scored the game-deciding goal in the shootout against James Reimer Nov. 3 at SJS.

OH WHAT A KNIGHT
Goaltender Spencer Knight earned at least one point in six consecutive decisions (3-0-3) from Nov. 19-Dec. 1. He has surrendered five goals over his past three starts since Dec. 1 for a .940 save percentage and 2.12 goals against average, the third-best SV% among goaltenders over that span (Dec. 1-Dec. 6). Knight appeared in his 50th NHL game Dec. 3 at SEA and earning his 30th NHL win Dec. 1 at VAN. His 49 games were the fewest games required to reach the 30-win mark with Florida in franchise history. Knight stopped all 40 Carolina shots he faced Nov. 9 vs. CAR to earn his third career shutout. The 21-year-old native of Darien, Conn., owns a 31-13-6 record over his first 50 NHL games.

MONTOUR OF DUTY
Brandon Montour has produced 22 points (5-17-21) through his first 24 games of 2022-23, including assists in each of his past two outings. With his assist Nov. 28 at EDM, he surpassed Aaron Ekblad (22 GP, 2021-22) for the fewest games to reach the 20-point mark in a season among Panthers blueliners in club history. Montour has notched an assist in seven of his past 11 games (0-7-7), and he has amassed 14 points (1-13-14) over his past 14 games. The Brantford, Ontario native leads Florida blueliners in assists and points. Montour’s seven points from Nov. 6-9 tied Bryan McCabe (1-6-7, March 3-6, 2010) for the most points in a two-game span by a Panthers defenseman in club history. He matched his career high with four points (1-3-4) Nov. 6 at ANA, also tying the franchise record for single-game points by a defenseman. He became the eighth blueliner in club history to post four points in a regular season game, and he skated a career-high 30:41 total time on ice Nov. 3 at SJS.

JUST THE TWO OF GUS
Defenseman Gustav Forsling scored a goal in consecutive games from Dec. 1-3 and he has produced three points (2-1-3) over his past four contests. He registered his 10th career multi-assist game (0-2-2) Nov. 26 vs. STL. All 10 of his multi-assist performances have come with Florida. Forsling has amassed 18 points (4-14-18) over 26 games in 2022-23, including 14 even-strength points which are the most among Panthers defensemen. Forsling notched an assist in five straight games (0-6-6) from Nov. 12-20, the longest assist/point streak of his career. He also posted a four-game assist/point streak earlier this season (1-4-5, 4GP Oct. 15-21). He logged a career-high seven shots on goal Nov. 1 at ARI. His 78 total shots this season are the most among Panthers blueliners.

WHAT ABOUT BOB?
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 14 of 15 WPG shots Dec. 6 in relief for a .933 SV%, including all 13 he faced at even strength. He stopped a season-high 41 shots for a .953 save percentage Nov. 15 vs. WSH. His 41 saves were his most since stopping 42 shots against Jan. 11 vs. VAN. Bobrovsky appeared in his 600th NHL game Nov. 5 at LAK, becoming the 53rd goaltender in league history to reach the mark. His 339 career wins are the most through a goaltender’s first 600 appearances in NHL history. He stopped 32 of the 33 NYI shots he faced in Florida’s season opener on Oct. 13, including all 27 at even strength and 16 in the first period. Bobrovsky tied for the league lead with a franchise-record 39 wins in 2021-22, including a club-record and league-leading 26 home wins.

SUPER STAAL BROS.
Eric and Marc Staal have combined for four assists over Florida’s past four games. The Thunder Bay, Ontario natives have combined for 2,357 total NHL games and 1,253 points.

THE LOMBERGHINI
Ryan Lomberg has produced a point two of his past three games (1-1-2). The 27-year-old native of Richmond Hill, Ontario has produced six points (3-3-6) in 2022-23, and he ranks second among Florida forwards in hits (36).

GOTTA GO TO MO’
Nov. 15 vs. WSH marked Paul Maurice’s 1,700th game as an NHL head coach, becoming the fourth in League history to reach the mark. He earned his 783rd win as an NHL head coach Nov. 9 vs. CAR, surpassing legendary bench boss Al Arbour for sixth-most in League history. He is one of three coaches to earn at least 300 wins with two different franchises. He is 13 wins away from achieving his 800th NHL win as a head coach.