Los Angeles Kings hit road to play against Detroit Red Wings – NHL Preview
Los Angeles Kings need a victory and some good luck to secure a playoff spot in National Hockey League (NHL) Western Conference.
With so little time left in the start of the playoffs, every team is trying its best to gain entry into the postseason. However, Kings are not very far away and even a single victory can take them among the top eight teams of the conference.
Hoping to enter the comfort zone, Kings are going to face Detroit Red Wings on Friday, March 9, 2012, at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.
Red Wings are also not doing very good of late and that can provide Kings some advantage, but the former cannot be underrated especially on the home ice.
Here is a look at both teams.
Kings
Kings recently got their three-game winning streak snapped and that too against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.
Had Kings won that game, they might have secured a playoff spot, but Blue Jackets did not provide them any respite.
Kings scored a goal in the first period while Columbus got two. Blue Jackets added another in the second period and the rest of the game went goalless.
Kings’ coach, Darryl Sutter, said after the game:
"It was a disappointing start. You break down Columbus' last three games and they've had 2-0 leads on all three teams, Phoenix twice and Colorado. That was our focus, to not get behind and to try and match their energy early. We weren't all able to do that."
Kings are ranked at ninth spot in the Western Conference with 74 points after 67 games and are just one point behind the eighth-ranked San Jose Sharks.
Red Wings
Red Wings’ record-breaking home winning streak has become an old story now and the team is presently struggling to be consistent.
Out of the last seven games, Red Wings have only won two and are presently on a two-game losing streak with the defeats coming against Chicago Blackhawks (2-1) and Philadelphia Flyers (3-2).
Red Wings are ranked at fourth spot in the Western Conference with 89 points after 67 games.
Predictions
Red Wings have not been in aggressive form, but keeping Kings’ last game in mind the former can be favoured.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might stay under six.
If Kings win, the winning margin could be less than two goals.
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