Capitals at Red Wings
The Washington Capitals are in the driver's seat as they pursue a third consecutive Metropolitan Division title, but they play five of their last nine away from home. The reigning two-time Presidents' Trophy winners have won five of their last six as they kick off a three-game road trip at the skidding Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.
Washington coach Barry Trotz is not about to overlook the Red Wings, who snapped a 10-game losing streak Tuesday with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers -- a 6-3 winner over the Capitals on Sunday. “At this time of year, it doesn’t really matter where teams are in the standings,” Trotz said. "I think you don’t look at any opponent right now any differently if you can.” Although Washington is a pedestrian 16-15-5 on the road, Detroit has gone nearly a month since it last won in regulation (Feb. 24 versus Carolina). The Red Wings and Capitals have split a pair of meetings this season, with the away team winning in overtime, but since-traded Tomas Tatar scored half of Detroit's eight goals in the two matchups.
TV: 7:30 ET, NBC Sports Network
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (42-24-7): John Carlson scored the game-winning goal late in the third period and also set up Alex Ovechkin's NHL-high 44th tally in Tuesday's win to remain tied with Dallas' John Klingberg for the most points by a defenseman (61). Forward Tom Wilson did not record a point but he had six shots on goal, doled out nine hits and blocked three shots in a season-high 21:06. "You talk about hard to play against, different guys have different ways that they can have effect on opponents," Trotz said of Wilson.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (27-35-11): Dylan Larkin, a 23-goal scorer as a rookie in 2015-16, halted a 17-game drought by converting twice in Tuesday's win to give him 11 tallies for the season. "He’s done a real good job of playing a 200-foot game, and that’s what’s going to make him a great player in this league," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "He understands that.” Frans Nielsen notched the only goal of Tuesday's shootout, giving him 48 for his career and 22 game-winning tallies in the format -- both league records.
OVERTIME
1. Capitals backup G Philipp Grubauer is expected to get the start against the Red Wings.
2. Detroit is 1-for-18 on the power play over the past seven games.
3. Capitals C Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body), who missed the past two games, will travel with the team to Detroit.