The Red Wings are set to take on the Panthers on Monday night in Sunrise. Detroit is still navigating the whole Dylan Larkin situation, and the team has announced that Larkin will no longer play as he waits to be traded. On the ice, that puts the Red Wings without their top center and a strong 200-foot player. Off the ice, it makes for even more distractions as Detroit enters a tough week of matchups against Florida, Tampa Bay, Vegas, and Colorado. The first matchup on Monday against the Panthers won't be easy, as Florida is riding a three-game win streak.
The Panthers are dealing with several key injuries, but despite being shorthanded, they still have plenty of forward depth. Detroit cannot say the same without Larkin in the mix. The Red Wings rank 24th in the NHL by averaging 2.79 goals per game, and it's tough to see that number improving without Larkin. Florida is also a strong defensive team, allowing just 2.79 goals per game which ranks 6th in the league. The Panthers are also a strong 3-1-0 on home ice this season and have won four of their last five head-to-head meetings with the Red Wings. Playing on home ice, look for Florida to pickup a regulation win in this one.
Red Wings vs Panthers prediction: Panthers 3-Way ML (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable to -110.
