RED WINGS (0-5-2) at PANTHERS (1-2-2) 7 p.m. ET; FS-F, FS-D, NHL.TV
The Red Wings have lost seven straight to start a season for the first time in their history; they began the 1985-86 season with a tie before eight straight losses. Detroit has been outscored 23-9 in its past four games. Defenseman Mike Matheson is expected back in the lineup for the Panthers after he was suspended for two games for his hit on Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson on Oct. 13. Florida will try for its second straight win after a 6-5 shootout victory against the Washington Capitals on Friday.
Players to watch
Forward Tyler Bertuzzi has four points (one goal, three assists) in his past five games. Forward Jonathan Huberdeau had three points Friday including the 97th goal of his NHL career, tying him with Ray Whitney for 10th on the Panthers' all-time list.
They said it
"I think sometimes in people's absence, you appreciate them more. You realize the real positives they do when they're not there." -- Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill on the likelihood of defenseman Jonathan Ericsson returning "We talked about winning the first game, how good it's going to feel, get the monkey off our back a little bit. Now we can move ahead." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner after the victory at Washington on Friday
Neither team held a morning skate. … Pysyk was injured in the second period against Washington on a hit from Alex Ovechkin and did not return.
Stat pack
Detroit hasn't scored more than three goals in a game this season. … Hutchinson became the second goaltender in Panthers history to get his first victory in relief on Friday (Jacob Markstrom, Oct. 22, 2011). … Florida is 3-for-10 on the power play in its past two games after going 0-for-12 in its first three.
