Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings
After losing five games in a row going into and starting 2014, the Kings are now 4-1-1 in their last six games with their most recent win a 4-1 drubbing of the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. Despite their sterling record as of late, the Kings have still only scored 14 goals in their last six games and their power play is just 7.4-percent over those games (2-for-27). Jonathan Quick has started all six games in net since returning from injury and has given up just eight goals in those games.
Detroit is absolutely decimated with injury as their top four centres are out (including Pavel Datsyuk) and others like Darren Helm and Johan Franzen are on the list as well. Somehow, despite all this, the Red Wings are just two points out of a playoff spot. It’s starting to really hurt them, though, as they have scored just four goals in their last four games (0-for-15 on the power play in those games). It’s starting to affect team defense as well as they’ve given up 45+ shots on goal in three of their last five games.
These two teams met a week ago with Detroit coming out on top 3-1 (Los Angeles’ only regulation loss in their last six). That was one of the games that Detroit gave up 45 shots, though, and they needed a miraculous game from Jimmy Howard to come out on top. I don’t expect that to happen twice.
For whatever reason, Detroit has been the worst home team in the East to this point this year and Los Angeles has been one of the top road teams from the Pacific Division. There might not be a lot of goals, but I do think Los Angeles wins this one.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(LAK) $13,000 |
(DET) $7700 |
(LAK) $5000 |
Jake Muzzin |
Todd Bertuzzi |
