Detroit Red Wings – Florida Panthers: reigning champs in full collapse 
This Friday, 6 March, Little Caesars Arena stages a game between two teams running out of steam. Detroit have slipped out of the East top three. Florida? The reigning Stanley Cup winners are in freefall — sitting second-last in the conference.
So: can the Panthers stop the bleeding, or will Detroit use this chance to kick-start a home revival? Here’s the read.
Detroit struggling at home 
Todd McLellan’s men (35-20-7) have lost a bit of momentum. They’re now 4th in the East on 77 points (Buffalo recently moved past them) and have scraped points in 3 of their 4 outings since the break — an OT win over Ottawa, a win against Nashville, but losses to Carolina, Utah and an OT defeat to Vegas.
The real problem is at home. They’ve dropped four straight at Little Caesars Arena — their last home win was 18 January. The defence has been porous, conceding at least three goals in five of their last six home games, leaving their season numbers alarmingly flat (2.95 goals for, 2.95 against). On the plus side the power play works (23% efficiency) and they’ve stayed disciplined enough to limit damage.
Injury and roster watch: goalie John Gibson is out hurt. David Perron, 37, was shipped back from Ottawa just before the deadline and should be back on the ice in about a week while he finishes rehab.
Full-blown crisis at the Panthers 
The Panthers (30-28-3) are in trouble. Paul Maurice’s squad now sit 10 points adrift of the playoff picture. In their last five they’ve lost four — to the Islanders, Devils, Blue Jackets, Buffalo and Tampa Bay — with the lone win coming against Toronto.
Their road defence is a sieve. Florida concede 3.59 goals per game away from home and have shipped at least four goals in each of their last three road trips. Oddly, their penalty kill is strong (82.4%) and they’ve even netted six shorthanded goals this season.
Ahead of the trade deadline the front office tried to shake things up: Jeff Petry was sent to Minnesota while goalie Louis Domingue arrived in Florida. The injury list is long, with Seth Jones, Jonah Gadjovich, A.J. Greer and Cole Schwindt sidelined.
NHL Pick: Detroit Red Wings vs Florida Panthers
Over 6 goals
Yes, Detroit’s attack has cooled (they’ve scored more than three goals in just one of their last nine games). Historically they haven’t blown the doors off Florida at home.
But right now the glaring holes in both defences are impossible to ignore. Florida have been conceding at least four on the road, and Detroit can’t shut up shop at Little Caesars Arena (they’re giving up over 3.26 goals on average recently). Expect an open game, sloppy moments and defensive mistakes at both ends. Given that, backing Over 6 goals looks like the smart play for this one.
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