from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

The Wings haven't been to the playoffs during their time at LCA, but even more so, they've been out of the playoff picture so early, there really haven't been any meaningful games.

But that's about to change Tuesday as the Wings and Capitals play a colossal game for wild-card positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The Wings, with 84 points, entered Monday's games alone in the wild-card spot, pending Pittsburgh's game Monday night in Toronto. Pittsburgh, Washington and Philadelphia all had 83 points....

The Wings have earned points in four of their last six games and won two of the last three. In this unique playoff race where no team has truly been able to make a sustained charge and take control of the playoff spot, that's been good enough for the Wings assume control for now.

Lalonde doesn't expect his team to be too high or low emotionally in one of their biggest games to date.

"We've been even keel, the same message throughout," Lalonde said. "We've been in these all-or-nothing games for a while now. The guys have gotten a little more comfortable with it, so it's the same message about our starts and doing the right things, and our team game.

"This group has been dialed and locked in. I've been impressed and proud of this group and how they keep battling through everything. They'll show up."

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Let's make this an open post too for tonight's Pens/Leafs game at 7pm in Toronto.