Next up for the Detroit Red Wings: A well-rested Washington Capitals team.
The Wings host the NHL-leading Capitals this afternoon at Joe Louis Arena (2, FSD). The Caps haven’t played since last Saturday because of their bye week (the Wings’ starts Tuesday) and they still sit atop the standings at 39-11-6. That’s how good they are. They have won six straight games, one of those coming Feb. 9 at home against the Wings.
The Wings are on a five-game slide (0-4-1), sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 22-25-10 with 54 points, and near the bottom overall (with some good company, though: the Dallas Stars also have 54 points, but in 59 games, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have 57 points in 56 games).