Fan Preview: Can the Detroit Red Wings Work Their Home Magic Against Florida?

The Detroit Red Wings have been eliminated from contention for the Central Division title but still have the opportunity to earn home-ice advantage for the opening round of the playoffs. The only issue is, they need to start winning games first. They can get a head start on Sunday, April 1 when the Florida Panthers visit Detroit.

Detroit has only come out victorious in two of their last 10 games. With just a handful of regular season games remaining, time is short for Jimmy Howard to shake of the rust and the Wings to get into playoff form—otherwise it will be a short postseason for Detroit.

The matchup:

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Florida Panthers at the Joe Louis Arena located in Detroit, Mich. on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 4 p.m. EDT.

The standings:

Detroit comes into the game having lost their last two games and with a 46-27-5 record. They are 30-6-2 on their home ice and have won two of their last 10 games.

Florida enters the matchup having lost their last two games and with a 37-25-16 record. They are 17-16-8 on the road and have won five of their last 10 games.

The season series:

This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Where to watch:

The game can be watched live nationwide with NHL Center Ice or—

In Detroit: NHLN, FSD

In Florida: NHLN, FSF

The season statistic leaders:

Detroit: Jimmy Howard- 2.16 GAA, Johan Franzen- 26 goals, Henrik Zetterberg- 46 assists, Henrik Zetterberg- 68 points.

Florida: Jose Theodore- 2.38 GAA, Tomas Fleischmann- 25 goals, Brian Campbell- 47 assists, Tomas Fleischmann- 58 points.

Injuries to note:

Detroit: Darren Helm (sprained MCL), Joey MacDonald (bulging disc), Patrick Eaves (fractured jaw, post-concussion symptoms).

Florida: Mike Bradley (shoulder), Matt Bradley (concussion).

More Detroit Red Wings Commentary from Paul Rados:

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Detroit Red Wings look to thump Columbus Blue Jackets in rematch: Fan Preview

Detroit Red Wings in a must-win game against Columbus: Fan Preview

Detroit Red Wings hope Carolina Hurricanes can end their misery: Fan Preview

Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers, March 21, 2012: Fan Preview

Sources:

All stats provided by NHL.com

Paul Rados is an avid Detroit Red Wings fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.

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