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Panthers-Red Wings Preview

Nov 20, 2009 - 3:22 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Florida (8-9-2) at Detroit (10-6-3), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Florida Panthers have turned things around after a slow start. They'll see how much they've improved when they visit the Detroit Red Wings, who have dominated the all-time series.

The Panthers make their first visit to Detroit in nearly two years when they take on the Red Wings on Friday night.

Florida (8-9-2) comes in having won six of its last nine, picking up points in its last four games. The Panthers tied a season-high for goals in a 6-2 win over Buffalo on Wednesday in the opener of a three-game road trip.

Florida began the season with four losses in its first five games.

"It's taken some time," said Dominic Moore, who had a goal and an assist against the Sabres. "As you go you learn, and you try to improve each game. We've got a group that has taken a while to jell, so every game and every period we're just trying to get better."

Michael Frolik scored twice and Keith Ballard assisted on three goals, but despite the scoring outburst - which included four goals in the third period - the Panthers were more focused on the continued improvement of their defense.

After allowing opponents to average 4.0 goals in the first 11 games, Florida has given up an average of 2.7 in its last eight. Tomas Vokoun is 5-1-1 with a 1.67 goals-against average over his last seven starts after beginning the season 1-7-1 with a 3.65 GAA.

"We've really cleaned up our defensive game by leaps and bounds over the last dozen games," coach Peter DeBoer said. "We couldn't have been any worse in our first six or seven games of the season."

Before facing the New York Rangers on Saturday, DeBoer's team will be looking for its fifth win in six road games. However, the Panthers haven't played at Joe Louis Arena since a 5-2 loss on Dec. 15, 2007.

The Red Wings (10-6-3) scored four times in the third period against Vokoun, who's 4-10-1 with two ties in all-time in Detroit.

Chris Osgood made 33 saves in that win, and is expected to return Friday after missing three games with the flu. He has not started since a 5-1 win at Toronto on Nov. 7.

The Red Wings anticipate getting forward Kirk Maltby back, also after missing three games with the flu. He'll replace Brad May on the fourth line and coach Mike Babcock said the returns are key during a busy portion in its schedule.

"We're playing three games in four nights," Babcock told the clubs' official Web site. "It's important to have four lines rolling out of the gate."

The Red Wings lost for only the third time in 10 home games after falling 3-1 to Dallas on Wednesday.

Detroit appeared to tie the game at 2 on a goal by May 6:24 into the third period, but it was waived off because it was ruled the whistle had blown. Henrik Zetterberg scored his ninth goal and fifth in three games for the Red Wings.

Detroit beat Florida 3-2 in the only meeting between the two last season. The Red Wings are 12-2-1 with five ties all-time against the Panthers, including 5-1-0 with three ties at home.