Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings are set to face the Florida Panthers on Sunday night as they wrap up their final multi-game homestand of the 2024-25 regular season. The game, taking place at Little Caesars Arena, will be broadcasted exclusively on TNT with simulcast on truTV and streaming on MAX. Red Wings Radio Network's Ken Kal and Paul Woods will provide additional coverage.

Sunday's match is the second encounter between the two Atlantic Division teams this season, with the Red Wings having secured a 5-2 victory over the Panthers at the Amerant Bank Arena in January.

In the aftermath of Detroit's recent 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach Todd McLellan emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game rather than standings. “The story’s not done yet,” McLellan stated, encouraging his team to maintain their momentum.

Key players against the Hurricanes included Ben Chiarot and Marco Kasper, who scored back-to-back goals in the first period, alongside Patrick Kane, Michael Rasmussen, and Alex DeBrincat, each contributing to the scoreboard. Goalie Cam Talbot played a crucial role, stopping 30 of 33 shots. Talbot praised the team's ability to capitalize on opportunities, a crucial factor in their recent success. “When you get your opportunities, you got to make good on them.”

The Red Wings, currently trailing the Eastern Conference’s second Wild-Card spot by six points, are eager to close the gap with just seven games remaining in the regular season. McLellan spoke about the motivation to continue their pursuit. “You play all year to get near the finish line, and when you're close, you should be really excited about hunting somebody down.”

McLellan confirmed that Talbot will continue as goalie for Sunday’s game, marking his fifth consecutive start in the net for the Red Wings. Talbot has posted a 19-17-4 record this season and highlighted the importance of maintaining good physical condition and readiness. “I’ll play any games they tell me to play... You want the team to have confidence in you, and the coaching staff to have confidence in you.”

Meanwhile, the Panthers, having recently clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, look to recover from a 3-0 loss against the Ottawa Senators. Despite challenges due to injuries, Florida stands third in the Atlantic Division.

Talbot anticipates a challenging game against the Panthers, noting their offensive style. “They throw a lot of pucks at the net, good net front presence, a lot of shooters in the lineup,” he said, preparing for a playoff-type atmosphere on Sunday.