(Best E Casino) - The Detroit Red Wings have ripped off eight consecutive victories, and only the team with the NHL's worst record can prevent the streak from continuing. The club will try to extend its league-best point total when the lowly Los Angeles Kings enter Joe Louis Arena this evening.

Detroit's most recent triumph came in dramatic fashion at Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center, where the Red Wings rallied for a 3-2 overtime win on Tuesday. Daniel Cleary sent the contest into extra minutes when he scored with just 1:20 remaining in the third period, while Brett Lebda netted the game winner 1:37 into overtime.

Johan Franzen also had a goal and Dominik Hasek stopped 23 Wild shots to help the Wings put together their second longest win streak of the 2007-08 campaign. Detroit won nine games in a row from October 18-November 9.

The Red Wings enter tonight's tilt with an astounding 86 points and a commanding 17-point advantage on Pacific Division leader Dallas for tops in the Western Conference. Conversely, the Kings presently reside at the bottom of the league with a mere 47 points.

Los Angeles hasn't fared badly thus far on its current eight-game road trip, however. The Kings have split their first four contests (2-1-1) of the lengthy trek and are coming off a strong showing in a 4-2 decision over the New York Rangers Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

Ex-Ranger Jason LaBarbera delivered an outstanding performance between the pipes for Los Angeles, turning aside 39 of the 41 shots he faced. Anze Kopitar and Alex Frolov paced the Los Angeles offense with a goal and an assist each.

The Kings hope to carry that momentum tonight into Joe Louis Arena, a place where the team hasn't recorded a regular-season victory in nearly eight years. Los Angeles has suffered 11 defeats and one tie in the Motor City since a 3-2 win over the host Red Wings on February 18, 2000.

Detroit has taken 16 of the last 17 overall regular-season encounters between these teams as well, three of which have taken place during this campaign. The Red Wings have outscored the Kings by a 13-3 margin in those three games.

Los Angeles will also be playing tonight without the services of captain Rob Blake. The veteran defenseman has sat out two straight games and is sidelined indefinitely with a fractured left ankle.

For Detroit, blueliner Niklas Kronwall is expected to miss a fourth consecutive contest with a sprained left shoulder.