But, as Dylan Larkin noted, it’s only natural to peek at the standings, especially when things are going as well as they have been the past 2½ weeks for the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings (21-19-4) bounced back strong from Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to San Jose, which snapped their seven-game winning streak, in the first stop of a challenging four-game trip. Florida (26-17-3) was 12-0-1 in its past 13 games against the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings opened their four-game road trip with a 5-2 win over the defending Stanley Cup champs, thanks to three power play goals Thursday.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Cam Talbot made 41 saves, including 23 in the third period, and the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday. Dylan Larkin had two goals and an assist for the Red Wings (21-19-4), who scored three power-play goals and are 8-1-0 in their past nine games.

Talbot was never in much danger of losing Sunday, as the Red Wings scored 3:22 into the game and led 6-1 after the second period. The veteran netminder lost his last four games in December, but he's opened the new calendar year with a 4-0-0 record while turning aside 85 of 96 shots in that span.

Since the arrival of coach Todd McLellan, Detroit rookie defenseman Albert Johansson looks more and more like he belongs with each passing game

Detroit Red Wings have a pair of huge games against Atlantic Division opponents up first on the four-game road trip.