The Detroit Red Wings hope to earn their 4th straight win this evening as they host the Washington Capitals (7:30 PM EST on Bally Sports Detroit/NBC Sports Washington/97.1 FM).
Tonight is Military Appreciation night at LCA:
Military Appreciation Night! ??
? 7:30pm
? @BallySportsDET
? @971theticketxyt
? @kroger pic.twitter.com/avS5Z3HRbL— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 11, 2021
The Red Wings “took an optional,” but there was good news from The Athletic’s Max Bultman:
Lucas Raymond on the ice at Red Wings optional morning skate today— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) November 11, 2021
Um…
Just walked by the Capitals locker room this morning and the song blaring through the door was “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips. Interesting choice, but I’m a fan.— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) November 11, 2021
Lucas Raymond out on the ice for an optional skate this morning. #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) November 11, 2021
Prepping for the Caps.
Puck drops at 7:30pm. #LGRW
?: https://t.co/a1ZFiGyALB pic.twitter.com/qud0mg5MO2— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 11, 2021
This is no surprise:
Thomas Greiss off the ice first for the Red Wings #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) November 11, 2021
The Capitals’ PR website also sets up tonight’s game with a preview:
The Washington Capitals face the Detroit Red Wings tonight for the second time this season. This marks Washington’s first visit to Detroit since Nov. 30, 2019 – a 5-2 win at Little Caesars Arena. The Capitals have earned a point in 13 straight games against the Red Wings (10-0-3), dating back to Nov. 18, 2015. During that span, Alex Ovechkin, who is one goal shy from passing Brett Hull for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time goals list, leads the team with 11 goals in 13 games. Tonight’s game marks the first half of a back-to-back set; the Caps will face the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night.
The Caps enter tonight’s game blocking a NHL-best 28.9% of the shot attempts against them (177 blocks on 620 shot attempts), with rookie defenseman Martin Fehervary leading the team with 22 blocks. Washington’s 25.61 scoring chances allowed per game is the sixth-lowest rate in the NHL this season, while their 27.1 allowed shots per game is the second-lowest rate in the NHL (Seattle Kraken: 25.6 shots against per game). Additionally, Washington’s 1.99 expected goals against per 60 minutes of five-on-five play is the fourth lowest in the NHL.
The Capitals and the New York Islanders are the only teams in the NHL to have the same six defensemen appear in all games this season. In addition, Washington and the Buffalo Sabres are the only teams in the NHL that have three different pairs with at least 140 minutes of five-on-five time together (Dmitry Orlov and Nick Jensen: 171:34; John Carlson and Martin Fehervary: 164:09; Trevor van Riemsdyk and Justin Schultz: 143:03).
