Abel to Yzerman

0-0 at the end of the first period. Detroit had the edge in the first ten minutes, Washington had more of the edge the last ten minutes. Lyon with some big saves.

In the middle stanza, Washington scored early, the Wings tied it 1-1 2 1/2 minutes later and then added a power play goal with 47 seconds left in the period. 2-1 Wings.

In the third, the Caps scored twice within the first 5 minutes to take a 3-2 lead.

Kane scores with just over 5 minutes left, 3-3.

No more scoring in the period and in overtime, Washington scored to win 4-3.

Team Stats

Detroit goals are below.

Good evening and welcome to all. The Red Wings played a good game against the Preds but still lost, so no points, and another moral victory just won’t do. The Wings and their fans know what’s at stake here tonight. No need to say anymore.

Lyon has the net tonight. No other changes to the lineup have been announced.

It’s the Red Wings vs the Capitals. The puck drops around 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, and on the Red Wings Radio Network 97.1 (The Ticket in Detroit) for your listening pleasure. Also available on ESPN+/NHLPP, MNMT, and SPORTSNET+.

It’s a Live Blog!

from Tom Gulitti of the NHL's website,

The Washington Capitals and the Detroit Red Wings expect to get a taste of what the Stanley Cup Playoffs can be like when they face off at Capital One Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, BSDET).

The Capitals (35-26-9) lead the Red Wings (36-29-6) by one point for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference and have one game in hand. The winner can grab the inside track toward earning a postseason berth.

"This one will probably feel a little bit like a playoff atmosphere, I would imagine," Capitals forward T.J. Oshie said. "There should be probably a lot of urgency on both sides, for them and for us, so it will be an exciting game. We've played in some meaningful games for whatever the occasion was this season, but I don't think any of them will feel as meaningful as this one as we're both fighting for a spot to get in.

"Come three weeks from now, this game could be the one that you look back at that could've been the difference-maker for either side whatever way it goes."

These are the kind of high-stakes games the Red Wings have been looking forward to playing after failing to qualify for the playoffs the past seven seasons. After Tuesday, Detroit will have 10 games remaining and the Capitals 11, including a visit to Little Caesars Arena on April 9, so each team will have some work left to do regardless of the result.

continued

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

At Washington to face to Capitals, Detroit is trailing the Caps by one point for the second Eastern Conference wild card spot. Making matters more concerning for the Wings, the Capitals are also holding a game in hand over Detroit.

“It’s exciting, it’s a fun time of year,” said Detroit forward Patrick Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup winner. “It’s almost like you’re in playoffs right now, even though we have 11 games left.

“You look at (this) like a playoff game. Obviously it’s the team ahead of us in the standings. If we beat them, we’re in a playoff spot. They have a game in hand and they’re playing really well right now, so it’ll be a good test for us.”

Alex Lyon will be in goal for the Red Wings, making his second consecutive start. He’s lost his last eight decisions.

“I just try to keep the same mentality, keep positive,” Lyon said. “It’s very difficult but those are the important things. You’re gonna change your game all the time. You’re always gonna be tweaking the way you feel. How’s my body feeling, how’s my brain feeling, my emotions? But the most important thing is to just continue to fight. Keeping that fight and that energy is vital.”

read on

via Ansar Khan tweets,

lines:
Perron-Larkin-Raymond
DeBrincat-Compher-Kane
Rasmussen-Copp-Fischer
Fabbri-Czarnik-Veleno
Berggren-Sprong (extras)
Seven defensemen rotating. Petry is not practicing.
Lyon/Reimer/Husso

Raymond taking some rushes again at center on that line. Defense pairs look like:
Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-(Chairot/Seider fill in for Petry)
Maatta-Gostisbehere
Walman (coming off injury)-Holl appear to be extras.

Today and tomorrow I will be going through some pretty intense testing which means I may not be able to update as things happen regarding the Wings. But I will be able to catch up sometime today.

Or if things fall right, you won't even notice I am unavailable.

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

“We have to win,” Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson said. “That is kind of pressure, but it’s more fun. I’m more happy than I feel pressure, so it’s a fun opportunity I feel like.”

He’s got a point. Don’t you think teams like the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks, long irrelevant in the playoff picture, would eagerly embrace the opportunity to engage the pressure the Red Wings are currently feeling? For that matter, Detroit teams of the previous seven seasons would also be willingly stepping up to get into line and take this ride.

“This is where you want to be,” Detroit forward Lucas Raymond said. “It’s a tough spot, it’s pressure on everyone, but that’s the fun part of it.

“You’re playing for something meaningful. You can just feel it within this locker room. It’s awesome.”

read on

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

The remaining four games on this challenging five-game road trip begin Tuesday in Washington. Those improbable Capitals, who were sellers at the trade deadline, snuck ahead of the Wings for the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card spot Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Winnipeg.

The Capitals have 79 points, the Wings 78. The New York Islanders also are lurking behind the Wings, as are several other teams who still have a pulse of the pillow fight this race has been at times, with no one taking absolute charge.

After Washington, the Wings visit powerful Carolina (Thursday), Florida (Saturday) and Tampa Bay (April 1). There's a good chance by this time next week, the Wings' fate will be decided.

Exciting, feel-good story. Or an ugly, disappointing ending.

"If you ask any guy in that room before the season if we could be in this position, everyone would take it," Larkin said before the start of this trip, with such important, meaningful games on the horizon. "You know there's going to be bumps, and we've shown that we can stick together.

"We're at the time of year where you're playing every other day. It's hard. Going through adversity, we'll see what it does for us. But I don't think the way we've come out of it (a seven-game losing streak, followed by winning three of five) it's a bad thing."

read on ($)

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

Other than the final outcome, there was plenty to like about the performance of the Detroit Red Wings in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

“You want to win every game but ultimately what you’re looking for is to play the game the right way and to just bring your best and have a good effort,” Detroit goalie Alex Lyon told Bally Sports Detroit.

“It felt like we had that tonight, in a hostile building against a good team that’s obviously playing really well right now.”

On the one hand, he’s right, but here’s the thing – during a late-season playoff race, the bottom line is that the outcome is all that matters. A team isn’t looking to make a point with their play. They’re looking to gain two points in any manner possible.

continued

Through 40 minutes, not goal was scored.

A pretty even game, good goaltending and a lot of board battles.

With just under five minutes left in the third, Nashville scored the only goal of the game.

Team Stats

Below, watch the Seider/Forsberg fight.

Good day and welcome to all. Dylan Larkin was back in the lineup on Thursday against the Islanders, everyone came to play, and the Red Wings got the win. Hopefully Larkin’s return will keep the fires burning, and make everyone accountable. Now, get out there today and take two more points. Yes, it’s another must win. Every single game is.

Lyon has the net today. Walman is still listed as day to day. Any other changes to the lineup haven’t been announced as of 2:00 PM.

It’s the Red Wings vs the Predators. The puck is set to drop around 5:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, and on the Red Wings Radio Network 97.1 (The Ticket in Detroit) for your listening pleasure. Also available on ESPN+/NHLPP, BSSO, and SPORTSNET+.

It’s a Live Blog!

from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

When the Detroit Red Wings started preparing for today’s game against the Nashville Predators, it was challenging to know where to start. It’s not one thing that has allowed them to go 14-0-2 in their last 16 games. It’s everything.

“They start from the net up,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Their goaltending (Juuse Saros) is getting back to that world-class form that he has shown in the past. I think that brings confidence to the group, and then they’re clicking in all areas. Their superstars are playing like superstars. Checkers are checking. Offense is playing well. Their special teams. It’s been pretty impressive to watch.”

As impressive as the Predators have been of late, the Red Wings need to crack their code. They desperately need a win tonight. The Washington Capitals are only one point behind them in wild card race, and the Capitals have one game in hand.

continued

Over 13 minutes of hockey talk.

via Ansar Khan tweets,

#RedWings practice before visiting Nashville tomorrow (5 p.m., ⁦@BallySportsDET⁩), the first of five in a row on the road. Larkin not skating, probably maintenance day after returning last night.

practice lines:
Perron-Czarnik (for Larkin)-Raymond
DeBrincat-Compher-Kane
Rasmussen-Copp-Fischer
Fabbri-Veleno-Sprong
Berggren (extra)
Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Petry
Maatta-Gostisbehere
Holl (extra)
Lyon/Reimer/Husso

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

Copp scored twice, his first goals in 21 games. Fischer would open the scoring with a dynamic breakaway tally. He was good for three points. With Rasmussen dishing a pair of assists, the trio combined for seven points.

It wasn’t merely that they were setting each other up. In the process, they were setting a tone for their teammates.

This Is Red Wings Identity

That unit forechecks like fiends. They thrive in matching up with top players from the opposition and grinding them into the ice surface.

“We all have similar mindsets and obviously three big bodies,” Fischer said. “Obviously doing some matchups with other lines. The three of us, we love that type of thing.

“It’s the game within the game if you could shut down those big boys amd make life hard for them. I think we’re just on the same page.”

Thursday, that was the front page. Following a scoreless opening frame, Fischer would finally put a crooked number up on the scoreboard. Breaking into the clear down the left wing, he cut to his forehand and slipped the puck past the outstretched glove of Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin.

more

Below is the Eastern Conference Playoff picture as of this morning.

from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

...the return of the team’s captain seemed to provide teammates a booster shot of confidence.

Lalonde said Larkin tried to play Tuesday against Columbus. “He was every disappointed that our athletic training staff was just doing their job,” Lalonde said.

Larkin was more adamant today. “He didn’t get the OK until the afternoon,” the coach said.

His teammates understood how important it was to have him back in the lineup. They were more excited than usual when he scored his first goal.

“There was a little bit more jump,” Red Wings forward Christian Fischer said. “I’m sitting right next to the guy, but he means everything to this team. The season that he’s had up until that injury is remarkable. I’ve seen a true number one center, which is really hard to find. He drives the play. I think you could see every guy just competing a little bit harder, just having the presence of Larks back there. It’s huge for this group. You saw it the last three weeks of us kind of slipping a little bit. I think that played a factor into it. Emotionally, you’re missing your horse. It’s pretty easy to see once he’s back how much the guys want it and how much the guys care.”

more

0-0 after 20 minutes with the Islanders holding a slight advantage.

In the second...

Wings added two quick goals in the third to make it 5-1 but the Islanders scored the next two to make it 5-3 with about eight and a half minutes left. Nail biting time.

ENG from Larkin puts a bow on this game, Wings win 6-3.

Team Stats

Detroit goals are below.

Good evening and welcome to all. The Red Wings understand that tonight’s game against the Islanders is a must win situation, as the playoffs are on the line for both teams. The Wings have to come out tough and dish it out all game long. Send them packing.

A little levity regarding Mo; “and his hair was perfect.”-Warren Zevon

Reimer has the net. Larkin is a game time decision. Walman is listed as DTD.

It’s the Islanders vs the Red Wings. The puck is set to drop around 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit and on the Red Wings Radio Network 97.1(The Ticket in Detroit) for your listening pleasure. Also available on ESPN+/NHLPP, MSGSN2, SPORTSNET+, and TVAS-D.

from Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic,

The Eastern Conference playoff race is a hot mess; a middling sludge containing seven teams that wish they were anywhere else.

Not one team is where it wants to be right now and it’s made for a completely chaotic slide to the finish. The clubs that want to lose for the hope of a brighter future are finding ways to keep winning, and the teams that want to win keep falling all over themselves trying. The eighth seed is currently on pace for just 90 points and that number seems to get lower each week.

Does anyone in the East actually want to make the playoffs?

The Islanders were hoping to return to conference final form and currently have the inside track on a wild-card spot at 47 percent. But it sure doesn’t feel like it now that the team has dropped five straight games, four of which have been by three or more goals. They have just one more win than the Senators and have a .426 win percentage. That’s a 35-win pace. The lowest full-season win total in the cap era for a playoff team is 38, set by the 2011-12 Panthers and the 2015-16 Wild.

The Red Wings were hoping this season could be their big leap, and while it looked like it would be at some point, they’ve had a disastrous drop-off over the last few weeks that’s blown this race wide open. Detroit has lost eight of its last 10 games and seen its playoff odds drop from a peak of 76 percent, all the way down to 36 percent.

more ($) teams

Kane on the bright future for Lucas Raymond and below, on his SCF OT goal which won the Cup for the Blackhawks.

18 minutes of your time.