Morning Skate: Kings of the Hill

by JeffHancock41 on Nov 19, 2011 8:35 AM CST in Game Preview

This is how I envisioned the teams' discussion with Babcock went yesterday. This team is playing like a bunch of dirt. They're making us all sick. Man up. Punch the Kings in the face. Win this game. And start restoring the good name that is the Red Wings, damnit.

Jewels From The Crown is your SBNation Kings' blog.

Puck drop is just after 4p ET

The Expected Lineup

Johan Franzen -- Pavel Datsyuk -- Justin Abdelkader

Danny Cleary -- Henrik Zetterberg -- Valtteri Filppula

Jiri Hudler -- Darren Helm -- Patrick Eaves

Drew Miller -- Cory Emmerton -- Tomas Holmstrom

Nicklas Lidstrom -- Jonathan Ericsson

Niklas Kronwall -- Brendan Smith

Brad Stuart -- Jakub Kindl

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Ty Conklin

Scratches: Fabian Brunnstrom or Todd Bertuzzi or Eaves

IR: Jan Mursak (ankle), Ian White (face)

Bertuzzi practiced yesterday and if he is cleared to play he will be on the top line with Datsyuk and Franzen. Gator will move down to the third line and replace Eaves. Eaves will either move to the fourth line or be scratched. Or we could see Brunnstrom in and someone else scratched. Or Babcock will write everyone's number on pieces on paper put them in his hat and draw completely new lines.

RED WINGS	HOW THEY MATCH UP	KINGS
9-7-2	Record	10-6-3
2.65 (17th)	Goals Per Game	2.47 (22nd)
2.35 (7th)	Goals Against Per Game	2.21 (4th)
16.4% (T-17th)	Power Play %	20.2% (5th)
77.8% (25th)	Penalty Kill %	82.7% (16th)
Johan Franzen (9 goals)	Goal Leader	Anze Kopitar (9 goals)
Johan Franzen (16 points)	Points Leader	Anze Kopitar (23 points)

The Red Wings are 77-77-27-2 (W-L-T-OTL) all-time against the Kings. Los Angeles is one of six teams that have a winning record against Detroit. The others are the Flyers, Sabres, Canadiens, the old Senators, and the Maroons.
L.A. took three out of four gams from Detroit last season.
The Wings are like Johan Franzen...streaky. Five wins, then six losses, followed by four wins, and now we're at two losses. Let's hope this losing streak is a short one.
The Kings have won four of their last five games after a five game losing streak.

Prediction: Jillian says the Wings will win 3-2 and Flip will be the player of the game. Let's hope she's right.

Let's Go Red Wings.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I don't want to beat a dead horse

Someone said that the wings players coaching staff don’t say enough (or the right things) after a loss. Did anyone read what Lee Stempniak said after a 5-2 WIN yesterday? (which thank you calgary for beating the hawks)

“It’s a knock on us that we don’t score enough goals and it’s the truth”

wouldn’t it be nice to hear our players vent a little bit? not a tantrum, just vent their frustrations?

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 8:18 AM CST reply actions

should be “players or coaching staff”

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

3-1, LA

I can’t predict a win for this team on the road, especially wesst coast, when they’re in these funks.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Nov 19, 2011 8:19 AM CST reply actions

Do it anyway

"Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you."
-Jacques Plante

by DetroitSports on Nov 19, 2011 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Meh

I figure you probably won’t win the prediction contest if you pick the Wings to win all 82 games.

Fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings.

by Elfuego51 on Nov 19, 2011 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

2-1 Detroit

I refuse to predict a loss for Detroit. THEY NEED TO WIN A ONE GOAL GAME ON THE ROAD. the confidence brought by this would allow their offence to flow on the road. But for now its up to the Jimmy and the D. (does that sound like a bad hair band?)

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 8:24 AM CST reply actions

I've never been a fan of Jimmy

but he has been our most solid player. If this team could give him some goal support and not take off a game here and there defensively he would easily be #1 in all categories.

Fil has been the best forward followed by Franzen

Nightmare on Helm Street
@Jordan_Reis

by DeathtotheHawks on Nov 19, 2011 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Okay I really want to see these two lines

Z, Datsyuk, Miller
Filppula, Helm, Franzen – (is this our first line or second line? who knows, shits crazy)

Depth is great and we have it in buckets (as in a pail not the player). But lets get our top 6 going. Get a good grinder whos on right now on both lines, sorry buckets (as in the player not the pail) and mix it with a goal scorer and a playmaker. Can anyone argue more playing time for Helm?

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 8:49 AM CST reply actions

I personally guarantee a win (on the road even)

If these two lines play together for an entire game.

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

4-3 Wings

Datsyuk as the player of the game. I’m going to this game so I hope to see the Wings perform today. I know they have been hit or miss this year so we’ll see what happens. I agree that they need to win a close game on the road. Then I’ll head down to Anaheim to watch them beat the Ducks!

by Damenace on Nov 19, 2011 8:53 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Thats just it.

they’ve been on the wrong side of 1 goal games on the road this year. That breaks your confidence. They need to win one just to prove they can. I fear for that to happen they have to get the lead and keep the lead the entire game. If it gets tied at any time I think they are too fragile right now to go ahead again.

by Splints on Nov 19, 2011 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

Sooner or later

These guys need to realize that they can’t just go out there and expect to win. They have the skills but they need to drive also. I know coaches need to motivate, but ultimately it comes down to each player and how much do they want it. It might not be as easy to flip a switch on and off as in years past.

by Damenace on Nov 19, 2011 9:03 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Hold the fort... I am at a fitness workshop

GO WINGS!!!!!!

"My chances? Always good chances." -- Pavel Datsyuk

by lania on Nov 19, 2011 10:37 AM CST via mobile reply actions

2-1, Detroit

Applegator is player of the game. Why not..he’s on the 1st line tonight baby!

Manager of the Mursak League's Banzai Bananas. BANZAI!!!

by Dannik99 on Nov 19, 2011 11:07 AM CST reply actions

2-1 Wings

Jimmy POTG

I like to Dangle Dangle.

by playboyperry509 on Nov 19, 2011 12:48 PM CST reply actions

3-2 Wings, Datsyuk

I probably stole JJ’s thunder with that prediction, but I don’t care.

Won’t be around for the game thread this afternoon as I’m doing some work at the in-laws with some wall repair.

is anyone else like me and kind of hoping that Bertuzzi stays out of the lineup? I don’t see him providing any kind of spark to the team. But I’m pretty much done with him.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Nov 19, 2011 1:00 PM CST reply actions

wow a lotta 2-1 predictions - i follow suit

TPH – will bring some calm to the locker room and some furious shots at Quick’s weak spots

Asheeshy's Twitter

"A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day." ~ Calvin (C & H)

by Igorzba on Nov 19, 2011 2:23 PM CST reply actions