Live Updates: Red Wings Face Panthers for Final Clash
Longtime Detroit Red Wings color analyst Paul Woods will step away from the broadcast booth Wednesday. He retires after a 40-year run covering the team.
The Red Wings play the Florida Panthers Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game takes place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
Season outlook and historical context
Detroit closes one of its most disappointing seasons in the franchise’s 100-year history. The team finished the regular season 41-30-10 for 92 points.
Detroit became only the second NHL club to reach 69 points through 53 games and still miss the playoffs. The other team was the 1969-70 Montreal Canadiens, who finished fifth in the Original Six era.
Montreal later rebounded and won the Stanley Cup in 1971. That title run featured goaltender Ken Dryden.
Lineup notes and game factors
Captain Dylan Larkin will sit out the finale. Defenseman Travis Hamonic returns to the lineup for Detroit.
Florida entered the game as two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. The Panthers battled heavy injury issues this season and carried a 39-38-4 record for 82 points.
The Panthers won two of three meetings against Detroit this year. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk has been effective since his return, scoring 32 points in 30 games.
Broadcast and live coverage
Television and radio coverage includes FDSN and 97.1. Faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday in Sunrise, Fla.
Follow Live Updates: Red Wings Face Panthers for Final Clash on Filmogaz.com for play-by-play and analysis. Filmogaz.com will provide real-time coverage and postgame reaction.
AHL playoffs and player development
Several Red Wings prospects will join the Grand Rapids Griffins playoff push. Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka and forwards Carter Mazur, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Dominik Shine are headed to the AHL.
Coach Todd McLellan said the Griffins experience will benefit those players. He highlighted Shine’s leadership and the value of learning to play through injuries and hostile playoff atmospheres.
The American Hockey League playoffs begin the last week of April. The Griffins will aim to use the postseason as a development proving ground.
