Howard led the Red Wings out to the ice for pregame warmups Monday, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports. As a result, he'll be the home starter versus the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Howard will post up between the pipes for this New Year's Eve contest facing a divisional foe that the Wings desperately need to beat. Detroit is two points behind Florida in the standings (36 vs. 38), and there hasn't been much faith in either Howard or primary backup Jonathan Bernier due to the team's minus-24 goal differential. The Panthers will counter with the ageless Roberto Luongo in this New Year's Eve clash.