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Playoff Race: Red Wings vs. Capitals; Lines, Notes, How to Watch

Detroit beat Washington 8-3 on Feb. 27

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3 weeks ago

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Patrick Kane, Red Wings
Patrick Kane says the Red Wings are already in playoff mode.

The playoffs are officially still 11 games away, but forgive the Detroit Red Wings for feeling like they are already playing for their lives every time they take the ice.

“We’ve been in playoff mode for a while now,” Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot said.

That will certainly be the case on Tuesday.

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.”

Game Time/How to Watch

7 p.m., ET, Bally Sports

Red Wings Preview

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.”

Defenseman Jake Walman is still sidelined with an undisclosed injury. That means Simon Edvinsson is still playing in Detroit’s top four defenseman . . . Defenseman Dan Petry (illness) is good to go. The Red Wings lines are expected to be David Perron-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat-J.T. Compher-Patrick Kane, Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Christian Fischer, Robby Fabbri-Joe Veleno-Austin Czarnik . . . On Monday, the Red Wings assigned forward Jonatan Berggren to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit has been shut out three times over the past 11 games, including Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Nashville.

“Definitely some good things from the game,” Red Wings forward J.T. Compher said. “Need to create a little more offensively, not be as selective with our shots. Defensively a lot of good things.”

Capitals Preview

Since an 8-3 loss to the Red Wings at Detroit on Feb. 27, Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren is 8-3-0 with a 2.22 GAA, .923 save percentage and two shutouts . . . The Capitals are 4-1 over their past five games and 12-5-1 over the last 18 games. They are 6-2 in their last eight home games.

Washington star Alex Ovechkin has eight goals over his past five games, including a pair of game winners . . . Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson will be sitting out the second of a six-game NHL suspension for high sticking . . . Defenseman John Carlson is riding a five-game point streak (2-3-5).

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