The Detroit Red Wings (7-4-3, 17 points, T-2nd Atlantic) are in the City of Angels on Saturday for an NHL showdown with the Los Angeles Kings (9-6-1, 19 points, 2nd Pacific). Detroit has lost each of the last two leading up to this matchup with Los Angeles, after falling to the New York Rangers 8-2 on Thursday. The eight goals given up by Detroit on Thursday was the second time the Red Wings have given up that number of goals this season. Los Angeles has won each of its last 3 after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on Thursday night. Kevin Fiala scored the game winner for Los Angeles with only 1.4 seconds remaining in overtime. Tyler Bertuzzi and Elmer Soderblom are both questionable for Detroit, while Robby Fabbri, Matt Luff and Filip Zadina are out. Los Angeles will play without Quinton Byfield, Alex Iafallo and Jacob Ingham.
If Detroit hopes to contend for the Atlantic division title, the Red Wings must score more goals. Detroit is scoring an average of 2.93 goals per game which is 18th in the NHL. Detroit is taking only 29.9 shots per game which is 24th and the power play for the Red Wings is below average, scoring only 17.6% of the time Detroit has the main advantage which is 27th. Dylan Larkin, Dominik Kubalik and Lucas Raymond each have six goals to lead Detroit. Larkin and Kubalik are the leaders in assists with 10 apiece and are tied for the lead in points with 16. Detroit has scored only nine power-play goals in 14 games.
Detroit must improve its Blue Line as the Red Wings are allowing an average of 3.21 goals per game which is only 15th in the NHL. Detroit is allowing 33.6 shots per game which is 24th. Detroit has a solid penalty-kil l unit that is holding opponents scoreless 82.5% of the time that the Red Wings are short-handed. Ville Husso is 5-2-2 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in nine appearances. Alex Nedeljkovic, who started the season as the No. 1 goalie, has struggled in five appearances at 2-2-1 with a 4.34 goals-against average in .880 save percentage.