Red Wings vs. Panthers: What to Know

Game Facts

Who; Red Wings vs. Florida

Where: Little Caesars Arena

When: 7 p.m.

Records: Red Wings 6-3-1, Panthers 4-3-1.

TV/Radio: Bally Sports Extra/97.1 FM

Things to Know:

James Reimer gets the start in goal tonight against one of this former teams. He played for the Panthers from 2016-19. Alex Lyon. who played for the Panthers last season, will be a healthy scratch. …

The Panthers will be without Sam Bennett, who was injured in Monday’s loss to Boston. They went from being the No 8 seed in the Eastern Conference to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. “You talk about what separates some teams in this league,” coach Derek Lalonde said Wednesday. “A team like that that makes a run to the Finals, is elite. You could argue (Aleksander) Barkov is one of the better players at his position and the same with (Matthew) Tkachuk. Like any superstar-high end guys, if you let those guys beat you they will.”….

The Grand Rapids Griffins picked up a point, but lost their fifth in a row in a shootout to the Cleveland Monsters, 4-3. Simon Edvinsson scored for the Griffins and Elmer Soderblom scored during the shootout. Jonatan Berggren had an assist and Sebastian Cossa had 25 saves in goal.

Tbe Red Wings have gotten a huge boost from their defensemen, who have tallied an NHL-best 33 points already this season. Moritz Seider leads the group with nine assists. “I didn’t realize we’re leading the league,’ Lalonde said. “It’s part of the offense. We talked about being deeper with our scoring, getting it throughout the lineup. It’s with our D, too. I don’t think our structure is much different than anyone else. We want them involved without risk. We want them involved the correct way. For the most part they’re doing that. So I think it’s a good sign and why we’re probably off to the offensive start we are.”

On the milest0ne front, Barkov will seat a Florida franchise record when he appears in his 672nd game as a Panther. He already is the franchise leader in goals (245) and points (639).