Just a quick preview today, thanks to weekend business and the odd start time: The Panthers roll into the chilly streets of Detroit and attempt to avenge a 4-3 loss from the last time these two teams met on December 28. The Cats should bounce back from a half-hearted effort against the Colorado Avalanche, who despite being pressured heavily by Florida in the third period, clearly had the game well in hand the majority of the way. The Panthers can’t afford anymore games where the entire club isn’t pulling on the same rope for 60 minutes, and the players have to respond tonight with a big (and complete) effort.
The Wings are playing around .500 hockey lately, but are dealing with a bunch of injuries as well. Detroit should have ageless wonder Daniel Alfredsson in the lineup, and injured all-star forward Pavel Datsyuk likely won’t return from a groin injury against the Panthers, but there’s a slim chance he could give it a shot. Expect to see Tim Thomas in net this afternoon for Florida. Thomas kept the Panthers in the game against the Avs on Friday night, and should expect to do so again against an always-tenacious Detroit team.
LBC GameThread is a go, and Winging It In Motown has some of that smooth, soulful Detroit flavor. Enjoy dinner and a hockey game, folks.