The Panthers hit the road tonight, looking to redeem themselves after a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will look to get back in the win column tonight in the Motor City against the division rival Red Wings.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G53 /] [table id=IS02G53 /] [table id=GM02G53 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G52 /] [table id=PD02G52 /] [table id=PG02G50 /] [table id=OF02G53 /] [table id=OD02G51 /] [table id=OG02G53 /]The Hat Trick
Bouncing Back: Saturday’s loss was hard to swallow, it’s never fun blowing a 2 goal lead late in the 3rd period, then dropping the game in overtime. It was the 7th time the Panthers have blown a 3rd period lead this season, most recently happening in Vancouver on January 11. In the six previous games, the Panthers are 2-1-3 in the next game, the only regulation loss being the ugly 6-0 trouncing they suffered at the hands of Calgary following that Vancouver loss.
The Teenage Dream Is Dead: Aaron Ekblad turned 20 yesterday. That means for the first time since the 2012-13 season opened, the Panthers do not have a teenager on the playing roster. The streak started with Jonathan Huberdeau at 19 in his rookie season, and lasted with both Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad bursting on to the scene at 18. All three players have been phenominal and are vital to the Panthers future. The fact all are now in their 20s helps drive home the fact that not only are they growing, but so is the team.
Dylan’s Play Is A Lark: Dylan Larkin is pretty good at hockey, apparently. He and Aaron Ekblad both recently played in the NHL All-Star Game as teenagers. Furthermore, Larkin is leadin the Red Wings in scoring as a rookie. The Waterford, Michigan native is following up on his impressive one season appearance in the NCAA, having put up 47 points in 35 games for University of Michigan in 2014-15. The last time a teenage rookie led a team in scoring to finish a season was John Taveres in 2009-10, who had 54 points for the New York Islanders. That team was pretty bad, finishing 34-37-11, and out of the playoffs. The Red Wings are not nearly as bad, and stand a good chance of making the playoffs. That makes the play of Larkin all that more impressive.
Closing Thoughts
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