Red Wings flying high after win over Kings

DETROIT (Reuters) - The Detroit Red Wings showed why they occupy top spot in the NHL by trouncing the struggling Los Angeles Kings 6-2 on Wednesday to clinch their 10th win in 11 games.

In a battle of the NHL's best and worst, the Red Wings, who have not lost in regulation time since November 22, sealed their 25th win and condemned the Kings to their fifth successive defeat.

Although the Detroit lineup included the three players that top the Western Conference all-star balloting -- forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom -- it was Niklas Kronvall in the scoring spotlight on Wednesday with four assists.

"It's nice to accomplish that (25 wins) but we have to keep getting better," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told reporters. "I thought Kronvall was exceptional.

"I hope he's figured it out that the reason he got four assists tonight is that he shot the puck. He's a real talented kid and it's got to be a confidence builder."

The Wings came out flying, with Zetterberg converting the game's first power play chance to collect his 25th goal of the season, just 59 seconds into the opening period.

Jiri Hudler added an even-strength marker to put the home side up 2-0.

But late in the first period, the Kings hit back with a powerplay tally from Dustin Brown and 15 seconds into the second, they levelled the contest when Patrick O'Sullivan carried the puck into the Detroit zone and beat Dominik Hasek to the glove side.

The Wings, however, quickly regained control when Jason LaBarbera spilled Zetterberg's soft shot and Tomas Holmstrom poked home a loose puck lying in the goalcrease.

Daniel Cleary then restored Detroit's goal cushion by redirecting a shot from the point by LaBarbera.

Johan Frenzen made sure of the win when he scored 49 seconds into the final period and Valtteri Filppula added another to close out the scoring.

(Editing by Martin Petty)