The Detroit Red Wings are trying to avoid what seems like fate at this point on Saturday when they play host to the Los Angeles Kings. "Fate," in this case is referring to the fact that the Red Wings haven't won or lost just one game by itself all season - everything has been done in streaks. They've had long winning streaks and short losing skids - but they're streaks nonetheless.
On Thursday, the Red Wings had one of those streaks - a three-game winning streak - snapped when they gave up late goals, eventually succumbing 4-3 to the Nashville Predators on the road. They kept it close, but the late-game collapse was enough to give them a loss, and the Kings would be more than happy to send them on what is now a customary skid. Fortunately for the Red Wings, the Kings haven't been the model of consistency this season.
Especially in recent weeks, too. Los Angeles did win their last outing, a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, but were on a five-game losing streak before that point. Maybe they'll come into the Joe Louis Arena feeling good about snapping such a streak, or maybe the Blue Jackets just had a really bad game, and the Kings are in for a beatdown in Detroit.
This is the second of four meetings between the two teams. Pavel Datsyuk and Niklas Kronwall led the way for Detroit in that meeting, giving them a 4-1 win on the road on Nov. 19. Los Angeles recently fired head coach Terry Murray, and are playing under interim coach John Stevens, who is 1-1 thus far. The key for Detroit will be to score early and get ahead, as the Kings have the lowest-scoring offense in the NHL and will struggle to get on the board.
The game is set for 7:00 p.m. eastern on Saturday.