Preview: Red Wings look to slow down Panthers

Detroit eyes second straight win to wrap up two-game road swing

DET FLA 4-21
By Jonathan Mills
@JonathanDMillsy DetroitRedWings.com

The Detroit Red Wings will face the Florida Panthers for the second time in four days and for the final time this season on Thursday night from FLA Live Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., with
TV broadcast coverage airing exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu
. Ken Kal and Paul Woods will have the call on the Red Wings Radio Network.

In Tuesday's 4-3 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jakub Vrana scored twice and Lucas Raymond and Oskar Sundqvist each scored to help Detroit defeat one of the best teams in the NHL.

Vrana nets 2, Red Wings hold off Lightning in 4-3 win

"It was a really good performance," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said about Tuesday's game. "Even in the first when we defended too much, we checked well and kept them to the outside. Then in the second, we started playing in their zone. Even in the third, they scored right away, and I don't think we melted at all."
Florida (55-15-6) enters Thursday with 11 consecutive wins, one shy of tying the franchise-best 12-game win streak it set during the 2015-16 season.
Jonathan Huberdeau leads the NHL in assists (81) and ranks second in points (111) this season. Aleksander Barkov (37-48-85) recorded a hat trick in the Panthers' 3-2 overtime win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has the best record in the NHL at 37-6-3 and he boasts a 2.65 goals-against average.
Detroit will look to avoid a season series sweep against Florida. The Panthers won, 3-2, in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 29, secured a 6-2 victory at FLA Live Arena on March 5 and beat the host Wings, 6-1, on Sunday.

Red Wings to host Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday

The Red Wings will recognize and thank fans for their continued support on Saturday when Detroit hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins for
Fan Appreciation Day
, presented by Coca-Cola and Meijer, at Little Caesars Arena.
Puck drop for Detroit's final home game of the season is set for 12:30 p.m., but the activities start before the game begins.
Outside Little Caesars Arena in the Chevrolet Plaza, ticketed guests can participate in a pre-game celebration beginning at 10 a.m. Inflatables will be available for fans to enjoy, in addition to interactive Hockeytown Experience games, and Red Wings alumni will be in attendance signing autographs.
Inside Little Caesars Arena, the Via concourse will feature balloon artists and face painters, additional alumni appearances, autograph opportunities and discounted meal combos available at select concession stands. Doors open for ticketed guests at 11 a.m.

Wings assign Riley Barber to Grand Rapids

On Wednesday, the Wings assigned Riley Barber to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Barber made his Red Wings debut on Dec. 18 against the New Jersey Devils. He has appeared in three games for Detroit this season and 44 games for the Griffins.

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