Derek Lalonde: “If we beat them, we’re in a playoff spot.”
The race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference intensifies as the Washington Capitals square off against the Detroit Red Wings in a pivotal clash.
As of Tuesday’s game, the Capitals hold the coveted playoff position, edging past Detroit by a single point with a game in hand.
Detroit, enduring a challenging stretch with a record of 3-7-0 in their last ten games, aims for redemption following a narrow 1-0 loss to the Nashville Predators to kick off their current five-game road trip over the weekend.
“This time of year is exciting,” remarked seasoned player Patrick Kane, embarking on his debut season with the Red Wings. “It almost feels like playoff time already, despite having 11 games left. Tomorrow’s match feels like a playoff game. Beating them would secure us a playoff spot. I understand they have a game in hand, but they’re performing exceptionally well right now. It’s going to be a tough challenge, but these are the games you want to play.”
Despite holding a promising position towards the end of February, a seven-game losing streak for the Red Wings threw open the playoff race once again. However, they’ve managed to bounce back with a 3-2-0 record since then, constantly exchanging the final wild-card spot with the Capitals over the past week, while teams like the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins lurk close behind.
The Capitals, on the other hand, have won five of their last six games, propelling them into the playoff picture, largely credited to the resurgence of their captain, Alex Ovechkin. The 38-year-old winger has netted eight goals in the last five games and 17 since the beginning of February, a stark contrast to his nine goals in the first 44 games of the season.
“I can’t explain it,” Ovechkin shrugged when asked about his sudden scoring spree. “The puck’s just finding its way in.”
Nevertheless, the Capitals see Ovechkin’s resurgence as timely, coinciding with their push to return to the playoffs after missing out last year.
“It’s not unexpected,” noted defenseman John Carlson. “It’s great to witness, especially at such a crucial time of the season. Our captain is leading the charge, and we’re all falling in line.”
Washington has also closed the gap to just two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division with two games in hand. A victory on Tuesday would see the Flyers relinquish their hold on a divisional spot, slipping into the final wild-card position after maintaining it for the majority of the season.
The Capitals’ recent surge has occurred despite significant changes at the trade deadline, with notable players like Anthony Mantha, Joel Edmundson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov finding new homes. In contrast, Red Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman opted to remain relatively inactive, making only one trade with San Jose Sharks, citing confidence in the team’s depth.
“Ultimately, our lack of activity at the deadline reflects our belief in the depth within our organization,” Yzerman explained. “We have talented players in Grand Rapids. So, instead of pursuing depth at the cost of first- or second-round picks, we’re better off promoting from within.”
“Every addition means someone else has to sit out – either through trade or as a healthy scratch,” he added. “That impacts the locker room dynamics. But our priority is to enhance the team, weighing the costs. The options available to us at the deadline didn’t justify giving up valuable picks and prospects for players who wouldn’t necessarily address our needs.”
Following Tuesday’s showdown, the Red Wings and Capitals will meet once more on April 9th in Detroit, likely in another crucial battle with playoff implications.
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