Pregame: Kings @ Red Wings – 4/24

Two nights after a 4-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes, the Red Wings face another virtual must-win in their quest for a playoff spot as they host the Los Angeles Kings.

To control their own fate, Detroit must earn five points in their remaining six games. Anything less than that and they’ll need help from the teams that play the Columbus Blue Jackets, who the Wings are one point behind right now. To make matters more difficult, the Red Wings and Blue Jackets both play the Dallas Stars, who sit two points behind Detroit in the standings. They also both play the Nashville Predators, who are out of the playoffs.

The Wings will roll with the same lineup they used to blank Phoenix against Los Angeles. Todd Bertuzzi was expected to make his return from injury but will sit for one more game and be in the lineup tomorrow against Nashville. Mikael Samuelsson was cleared to play but will be kept out.

Los Angeles will be without captain Dustin Brown, who was suspended for two games after an elbow to the head of Minnesota’s Jason Pominville last night.

Game time is 7:30 PM on NBCSN.