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.