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Flames-Red Wings Preview

Nov 26, 2009 - 10:02 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Calgary (14-6-3) at Detroit (11-8-4), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Just when the Detroit Red Wings thought they turned their season around, they struggle to find the net and lose four of five. Facing Miikka Kiprusoff and the Calgary Flames might extend those offensive woes.

The slumping Red Wings will try to avoid their first four-game losing streak at Joe Louis Arena in almost two years Friday night when they face the Flames.

Detroit (11-8-4) opened the season by losing six of nine (3-4-2), but rebounded by going 7-1-1 - including a 3-1 win at Calgary on Oct. 31 - and were in position to pull within a point of Central Division-leading Chicago. However, their recent slump has dropped the Red Wings into fourth place, eight points behind the Blackhawks for first as they try to win a ninth consecutive division title.

They've struggled to score over the last five games, netting more than one goal only once - a 3-2 shootout win at Montreal on Saturday.

Detroit's scoring problems were evident in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Atlanta, getting shut out for the first time this season despite taking 40 shots.

The Red Wings have only one goal in their last eight periods and have scored once on 80 shots in their last two games at Joe Louis Arena.

"We're getting some good shots off, we're getting traffic," said right wing Todd Bertuzzi, who is on a seven-game goal drought while taking 15 shots. "Something we can't really get frustrated about. I know it's hard ... It's something that doesn't sit well with the team. We've got to get out of this ASAP."

Detroit is trying to avoid losing four in a row at home for the first time since Feb. 7-29, 2008.

Henrik Zetterberg leads the Wings with nine goals and 24 points, but has struggled to find the net recently. The 2008 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has been held to one assist over the last four games.

He has nine goals and six assists in 12 home meetings with the Flames (14-6-3).

Calgary, though, is one of the best road teams in the league, owning a 7-1-3 mark.

The Flames are in the midst of a nine-game stretch with eight on the road. They split two away games before beating Phoenix 2-1 at home on Wednesday behind 27 saves from Kiprusoff.

Kiprusoff, who will likely be in net Friday, has been outstanding on the road, going 6-1-3 with a 2.14 goals-against average and one shutout in 10 games. He's allowed two goals or less in the last seven.

The 2006 Vezina Trophy winner hasn't been as effective at Detroit, posting a 3-3-0 with a tie and a 3.76 GAA in nine games - getting pulled in two.

He stopped 27 of 29 shots on Oct. 31.

Kiprusoff might appreciate some scoring help from Jarome Iginla, who hasn't scored against the Red Wings in almost six years.

The right wing has just eight assists in the last 18 meetings since last getting a goal in a loss at Detroit on March 3, 2004. He's come up empty in nine game at Joe Louis Arena.

Iginla was held off the scoresheet by the Coyotes, snapping a five-game point streak that saw him total seven goals and one assist. He ranks among the league leaders with 16 goals, while topping the Flames with 23 points.