Larkin was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Red Wings only announcing his absence shortly before puck drop. It's unclear whether he is dealing with an undisclosed injury or if he's simply getting the night off for maintenance.
The Red Wings relied heavily on Gibson in the final months of the season, but his stellar play faded, and the Red Wings missed the postseason again. The 32-year-old Gibson led the Red Wings from early December into March, posting a stellar 2.02 GAA and .926 SV% in 28 games (20-6-1). That said, the workload clearly caught up to him, ending the season with a 3.10 GAA and .891 SV% in his last 15 (5-8-2). The Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as -155 road favourites against a Florida Panthers team on a two-game winning streak.
With Sam Bennett (lower body) returning to the lineup on Wednesday, Skoog will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Skoog recently made his NHL debut, averaging 15:32 time-on-ice and going without a point in two games.
The Panthers will conclude a disappointing 2025-26 season on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings with Tarasov tending the twine. With the Panthers out of the playoff picture for several weeks, the team relied more heavily on Tarasov. The 27-year-old goalie saved 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. In his last six games (3-2-1), he posted a 3.22 GAA and .871 SV%. The Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as +141 home underdogs against the Red Wings.
With Boston locking up their playoff position, Viktor Arvidsson was a scratch last game due to rest-related purposes but will be back in the Bruins' lineup vs. New Jersey for Game 82. The 33-year-old has been a constant source of offence all season long, with 24 goals, 53 points and 174 SOG in 68 games played.
Sandin-Pellikka will slot into the lineup for the penultimate game of the Red Wings season in place of Jacob Bernard-Docker. Sandin-Pellikka has seven goals and 14 assists in 66 games this season.
Brandsegg-Nygard will slot into the lineup for the penultimate game of the Red Wings season in place of Dominik Shine. Brandsegg-Nygard has zero goals and one assist in 12 games this season.
Bernard-Docker will sit out the penultimate game of the Red Wings season on Monday in favour of Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Bernard-Docker has appeared in 63 games for the Red Wings this season, tallying one goal and four assists.
Shine will sit out the penultimate game of the Red Wings season on Monday in favour of Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Shine has appeared in 18 games for the Red Wings this season, tallying three goals and zero assists.
With Sergei Bobrovsky struggling this season (.877 SV%), Florida will turn to Daniil Tarasov for a second straight start on Monday as they take on the Rangers in Florida. The 27-year-old Russian netminder has struggled alongside Bobrovsky this season, posting a lackluster 11-15-3 record, 3.16 GAA and .892 SV%. Florida will go for their 3rd win in the last seven games as they take on New York on Monday, who is in the midst of a two game losing streak.
Gibson allowed two goals on 15 shots before leaving Thursday's win vs. the Flyers with neck stiffness following a collision in his crease. Despite getting banged up on Thursday, Gibson will start yet again on Saturday, in a must-win game vs. New Jersey. Gibson is 14-11-3 with a 3.04 GAA and .882 SV% on home-ice this season but stopped all 21 shots in a shutout win in his only start vs. New Jersey this season.
Tarasov allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Panthers' loss in Montreal on Tuesday. He was given Thursday night off in Ottawa, but will start tonight in Toronto. Things have been tough on Tarasov lately, going 2-6-1 with an ugly 4.03 GAA and .873 SV% in his last 10 starts. He draws a fine matchup on Saturday, but he's still a risky option given how banged up the team is in front of him.
Tarasov allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Panthers' loss in Montreal on Tuesday. He was given Thursday night off in Ottawa, but will start tonight in Toronto. Things have been tough on Tarasov lately, going 2-6-1 with an ugly 4.03 GAA and .873 SV% in his last 10 starts. He draws a fine matchup on Saturday, but he's still a risky option given how banged up the team is in front of him.
Skoog was an undrafted free agent out of Boston University, who is in his third year in the AHL. He has scored 18 goals and 19 assists (37 points) in 59 games with Charlotte this season, and would make his NHL debut on Saturday if he gets into the Panthers' lineup.
Gibson left Thursday's game vs. Philadelphia after a scary collision with an upper-body injury but will be okay after taking a maintenance day on Friday. The 32-year-old is expected to be healthy and okay for Detroit's game vs. New Jersey and will bring his 29-20-4 record, .904 SV% and 2.64 GAA into the important matchup.
Gibson has been a game-changing in his first season in Detroit but unfortunately had to leave Thursday's game vs. Philadelphia with an upper-body injury in the 2nd period and did not return. The 32-year-old did not practice on Friday but hopes to only be out for a short time as his 29-20-4 record, alongside his 2.64 GAA and. 904 SV% has placed Detroit right in the middle of the playoff hunt.
John Gibson was forced to leave Thursday's contest with an upper-body injury so Michal Postava has been recalled from Grand Rapids (AHL) under emergency conditions. With Detroit in the midst of their playoff hunt and with only a few games left, Postava is not expected to see any time as he backs up Cam Talbot.
