Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin (8) scores against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The Washington Capitals are on a late-season surge and aim to continue their winning streak on Tuesday night as they host the Detroit Red Wings at Capital One Arena.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. EDT and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
Having won two consecutive games and five of their last six, the Capitals have climbed into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With 79 points, they trail the third-placed Philadelphia by two points in the Metropolitan Division and currently occupy the second and final wild-card position in the conference.
In their last game, a 3-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, Alex Ovechkin netted two goals, bringing his season tally to 26 goals. Charlie Lindgren recorded a shutout with 27 saves, while John Carlson also found the net for the Capitals.
Ovechkin and Dylan Strome lead the team with 58 points each, with Carlson closely behind at 43 points.
The Capitals also claimed a thrilling 7-6 shootout win against the Carolina Hurricanes last Friday.
“We’re putting it all out there, and it’s fantastic,” said Carlson, who has amassed two goals and three assists during his current five-game point streak. “The team’s unity during this push is crucial. We’re far from finished, and there’s still plenty of work to be done.”
Detroit (36-29-6, fifth in the Atlantic Division) is fresh off a 1-0 defeat to the Nashville Predators on Saturday.
A victory for the Red Wings on Tuesday would propel them past the Capitals and back into the second wild-card position. Currently, they hold 78 points and have played one more game than Washington.
Alex DeBrincat leads the Red Wings with 23 goals and 34 assists, while Lucas Raymond has recorded seven goals and two assists in the last ten games.
Tuesday’s game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the Red Wings emerging victorious 8-3 in the previous encounter.
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