Panthers are back home for a pair of games. It starts with the Red Wings tonight!
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G51 /] [table id=IS02G51 /] [table id=GM02G51 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G51 /] [table id=PD02G48 /] [table id=PG02G33 /] [table id=OF02G51 /] [table id=OD02G51 /] [table id=OG02G51 /]The Hat Trick
Stone Cold Killers: The Panthers penalty kill has been lethal of late. They are 42 for 45 on the 2016 calendar year, including a hefty 8 for 8 effort on Tuesday night. In fact, this performance is going down in team history. The Panthers 26 goals conceded on the penalty kill is tied with the 2010-11 season for fewest in franchise history through the first 50 games of a season.
But Mom!: The visiting Red Wings did not come alone, they brought their mothers along too. They kicked off a two game trip with their mothers last night in Tampa Bay, falling 3-1 to the Lightning. You can bet they will want to avoid an o-fer tonight.
Another Big Test: Tonight is another in a long line of big games lately for the Panthers. The have sucessfully fended off both reigning Stanley Cup finalists, and the league’s #1 team in the standings over the last four games. Now, the Panthers will need to shake off a challenge from the Detroit Red Wings. Their division rival currently sits seven points back in the Atlantic Division’s 3rd place. Though this is not a direct threat to first place, the Panthers would be wise to treat this as such. A win tonight should add to this squad’s growing confidence.
Situation aside, this is a tough opponent. Any team that boasts Pavel Datsyuk is worth your attention. Its not just him though, Henrik Zetterburg, Dylan Larkin, Gustav Nyquist, and Tomas Tatar all pose threats to score. One break the Panthers will get is avoiding Petr Mrazek, who is having a great season in Detroit. Instead, the Panthers will face Jimmy Howard, who is having a decent, if unspactacular, season.
Closing Thoughts
If you want to make a donation to #CatsForACause, follow the hashtag link. My January donation hit $47, and we’re more than halfway to our goal of $3,000!
Also, don’t forget next weekend is PAWS, the Panthers Analytics WorkShop. If you’re into numbers, and want to hear discussions about it, register to attend here.
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