No blame for Tuesday's Detroit loss to LA on GK John Gibson, who stopped 19 of 21 shots though losing his first start since January 3. Still, quite a run lately for Gibson, 17-3 in his starts since the beginning of December, and January marks still quite superb, including 1.79 GAA and .934 saves. It's also worth noting that the Red Wings have won the last four OT games with Gibson in goal. Meanwhile the Caps are enduring a brutal stretch, losing six of seven, and at the conclusion of a long road trip tonight in which they've lost four of five. Charlie Lindgren also in goal after losing his last three starts, with a 4.52 GAA in January. Play Red Wings on Money Line

I know my cohort Jeff Hochman loves this play. I can't say I "love" any hockey play because one dude simply half-drunk in the net can win a game by himself by accident, but this does seem to set up well for the Wings. The Caps are free-falling and at the end of a long trip. And we might see history as Detroit's Patrick Kane -- I hate that the Blackhawks legend is a Red Wing -- is one point from becoming the all-time U.S.-born scorer in the sport. He will pass Reggie "Reg" Dunlop. I sure hope you get that; actually Kane would break a tie with Mike Modano. I'll address this in the newsletter.

This is Washington's 6th road game in 11 days across four different time zones. Washington is traveling West-to-East (Seattle to Detroit), a route historically associated with sluggish performance. The game in Seattle on the 27th implies a red-eye flight or a travel day on the 28th, which would eliminate practice time. Detroit has enjoyed the comforts of home and is coming into this matchup well-rested. Since December, the Red Wings have posted an impressive 6-1 record after a loss. Washington gives up High-Danger Chances at a rate that ranks in the bottom third of the league and will be without two key defenders. Detroit’s offense ranks 5th in creating them. The Red Wings own the better special teams and Face-off win percentage.