from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Detroit Red Wings have an opportunity to head into the All-Star break over .500 in points percentage, no small feat considering where they were two years ago.

But they must defeat the Los Angeles Kings tonight at Little Caesars Arena (7:30, Bally Sports Detroit) for that to happen. And to beat the Kings, they can’t turn in a performance like they did during a 4-0 loss in L.A. on Jan. 8, when they were outshot 27-2 in the first period.

“Obviously, we didn’t show up in the first for that game,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think we have learned and hopefully we’re continuing to learn.”

The Red Wings (20-20-6) have won two of their past three against quality competition (Pittsburgh and Anaheim) and played well the game in between against Toronto except for the final disastrous 11 minutes in a 7-4 loss.

“I think we’ve had a great intensity and focus for eight periods (in the past three games),” Dylan Larkin said.

continued