Red Wings D Mike Green out against Panthers

Red Wings face 1st-place Panthers without Green, Kronwall

Detroit Red Wings defensemen Niklas Kronwall and Mike Green (Getty Images)

DETROIT – Defenseman Mike Green won't be in the lineup Monday night when the Detroit Red Wings host the Atlantic Division-leading Florida Panthers. 

Jakub Kindl, who recently was called up from the AHL, will take Green's spot on the blueline, according to coach Jeff Blashill. 

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Green scored a power play goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over the New York Islanders. It was his second goal in two games and 4th of the season. He has 17 assists, too, bringing him to 21 points in 46 games played with the Red Wings this season. 

Green, 30, was Detroit's big free agent signing in the offseason (other than veteran forward Brad Richards). He was brought in to boost the power play and add scoring depth to the team's defensive corps. 

Meanwhile, the Red Wings remain without veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall (knee). He's not expected back in the lineup for another couple of weeks. Kindl hasn't played a NHL game since Dec. 29 in Winnipeg. He has 5 points and is a +1 in 23 games played with Detroit this season. 

The Panthers beat the Red Wings, 6-3, last week in Florida and lead the Atlantic Division with 68 points. Florida's +32 goal differential is second only to the Washington Capitals (+54). 

The good news for Detroit is Al Montoya -- not all-star Roberto Luongo -- is expected to start in net Monday night for the Panthers while Petr Mrazek likely will get another start for Detroit. Mrazek is without question the Red Wings' No. 1 after the team started the season splitting his time with veteran Jimmy Howard. Howard was in net when the Wings lost to Florida last week. 

Note: Montoya played college hockey at the University of Michigan. He had a 30-7-3 record in 2004-05 with the Wolverines. He's no stranger to Joe Louis Arena.Â