PITTSBURGH -- Next up for the Detroit Red Wings: Taking on the defending Stanley Cup champions on national TV.
The Red Wings face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins this afternoon (3 p.m., NBC) at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins have the third-best record in the NHL at 36-18-8, with 80 points. The Wings are 1-1 against the Penguins this season, losing 5-3 in Pittsburgh in December but winning 6-3 at home in January. The Wings do enter this game having toppled the NHL-leading Washington Capitals at home Saturday afternoon, banking two points on the strength of a strong performance from Petr Mrazek and both special teams.