Red Wings at Kings
THE STORY: After splitting their four-game road trip, the Los
Angeles Kings will look to strengthen their position in the Western
Conference standings when they play the first of six straight contests
in southern California on Tuesday. The Detroit Red Wings, who will
provide the opposition, have struggled away from Hockeytown this season.
Coach Mike Babcock's club is 1-4-1 in its last six road games.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit (Red Wings), FS West (Kings)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (44-22-3): After Detroit defeated Los Angeles
for the third time this season Friday, it was done in by a punchless
power play during Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. The
Red Wings squandered four opportunities with the man advantage and have
failed to score in their last 20 power plays overall. Detroit will have
to jumpstart its lagging offense without All-Star Pavel Datsyuk (knee)
and veteran Todd Bertuzzi (groin), who will once again join seven-time
Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom (ankle) on the sideline. The trio
has been ruled out for Tuesday's contest.
ABOUT THE KINGS (32-25-12): Darryl Sutter's charges kept their
postseason aspirations in sight with Sunday's 3-2 shootout win over
Chicago. After facing Detroit on Tuesday, the Kings' "homestand"
features dates with powers Nashville, St. Louis and Boston. A road tilt
with Anaheim and a home contest with San Jose conclude the set. All-Star
goaltender Jonathan Quick has struggled versus the Red Wings, posting a
5-9-0 career mark with a 3.25 goals against average.
OVERTIME:
1. Red Wings center Darren Helm is doing his part by chipping in
offensively, collecting four goals and four assists in his last 10
games. Helm netted the game-winning goal Friday and had two assists in
an 8-2 victory over Los Angeles on Dec. 17.
2. Kings center Mike Richards netted the shootout winner in the sixth
round Sunday. Richards scored in the team's first meeting in November,
but was held off the scoresheet on Friday.