Red Wings Vs. Kings: Detroit Drops Another Game, Loses 5-2

The Detroit Red Wings will try to keep their chances of winning a division title alive when they head to L.A. to take on the Los Angeles Kings.

Since winning six in a row in early- and mid-February, the Wings have dropped six of their last nine, most recently on Saturday with a 3-2 setback to Nashville.

The cold stretch has coincided with the best run of the year for fellow Central Division foe St. Louis, which has won five in a row and is 9-1-0 over its last 10. The Blues now own the top spot in the division -- and conference -- with a 45-18-7 record and 97 points. Detroit is 44-22-3 with 91 points.

Unless they win the division, the Wings will likely be a No. 4 seed in the playoffs. Unless, of course, Nashville (89 points) sneaks past them in the division and conference standings. The Predators are a solid 7-2-1 over their last 10.

The good news: Detroit is 3-0 against L.A. this season and has outscored the Kings 16-6. Detroit scored a season-high eight goals against L.A. in a Dec.17 pummeling in Detroit. Oh, and the Wings expect to get Jimmy Howard back after missing three straight with a groin injury.

Tuesday's game will start at 10:30 ET and air on Fox Sports Detroit.

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