Johan Franzen

The Red Wings' Johan Franzen is upset about being hit in the head against Toronto on Oct. 17.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have kept viewers in suspense and fans in their seats this season.

The outcome in seven of their eight games hasn't been determined until the final minute or beyond, with four games decided after regulation (three in overtime, one in a shootout).

The Red Wings (4-2-2) have earned points in games they didn't deserve them (3-2 shootout loss to Boston, 4-3 OT victory over Pittsburgh) and left points on the table in regulation losses to Anaheim (3-2) and Philadelphia (4-2).

Here are five things to watch this week:

1. Will Johan Franzen return this week?

He hasn't practiced since leaving midway through the Oct. 17 game in Toronto with a groin issue. He's listed as day-to-day, but there's no way to know when he'll be back on the ice.

Franzen had scored twice in that 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs and has five points in 31/2 games.

The Red Wings must trim someone from the roster when Franzen returns, unless there is another injury. Options include sending Tomas Jurco, the only waiver-exempt player on the roster, to Grand Rapids or waiving veteran Daniel Cleary, who has been a healthy scratch every game.

2. Power play looking to end drought

The Red Wings have not converted on their last 20 power-play opportunities and are 2-for-30 overall (6.7 percent).

Coach Mike Babcock and captain Henrik Zetterberg said they need to be more aggressive - take more shots (they've taken only 35 shots in 51:37 with the extra man), crash the net and be more assertive retrieving the puck.

Babcock hinted at personnel changes but said he is not changing the scheme.

3. A busy week for Jimmy Howard

With no back-to-back games this week, Howard could very well start all three games - Wednesday at Washington, Friday vs. Los Angeles and Sunday at Buffalo.

Howard is off to a good start - 3-1-2, with a 1.95 goals-against average and .929 save percentage.

4. A familiar face in a new place

The Red Wings have played 104 games, including the playoffs, against Nashville and Barry Trotz has been behind the bench for each one as the Predators' only coach before being fired in the off-season.

So it will be strange seeing him with another team Wednesday when the Red Wings visit the Capitals (4-2-2) and Alex Ovechkin, who has five goals in eight games.

Mike Green, the right-handed shooting defenseman who's been the subject of trade rumors (the Red Wings had interest in the summer) ever since the Capitals signed free agent Matt Niskanen on July 1, is off to a hot start with eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games.

Washington has won four of its past five games against the Red Wings. All three games last season went beyond regulation (two decided in shootouts, one in overtime). The Red Wings haven't won in Washington since Dec. 9, 2005, going 0-3-1 there since.

5. Stanley Cup champions in town

The Los Angeles Kings, who've won the Stanley Cup in two of the past three seasons, make their lone appearance at Joe Louis Arena on Friday.

The Kings (6-1-1) won their sixth in a row on Sunday (5-2 over Columbus). Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli, each with 12 points, rank among the league's top five scorers. Jonathan Quick is off a good start (5-1-1, 1.61 GAA, .953 save percentage, two shutouts).

The Red Wings are 7-2 in their past nine against the Kings and are 18-4-1 (W-L-T) at home vs. Los Angeles since the 2001-02 season.

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