Where » Joe Louis Arena

When » 7:30 p.m.

TV » CSN HD

Radio » WFED-1500 AM

Caps with the chance to jump into first place in the Eastern Conference and post a double-digit winning streak for the second year in a row. No easy task on the second of back-to-backs and playing at Detroit, the second-best team in the Western Conference and a perennial Stanley Cup contender. And with Philadelphia having three games in hand after tonight Washington’s one-point lead probably wouldn’t last long anyway.

Just an intriguing matchup, though, and actually not as rare as you’d think. The teams have played four times in the last three seasons, including twice in 2009-10. The Red Wings won in Detroit, 3-2, on Oct. 10, 2009. The Caps returned the favor with a 3-2 win on Jan. 19, 2010. That was victory No. 4 during the epic 14-game win streak.

Injuries aren’t helping Washington’s cause tonight. Jason Arnott (undisclosed) didn’t make the trip, Mike Green (head), Tom Poti (groin) and Semyon Varlamov (groin) are still out. Eric Fehr (undisclosed) was re-injured last night at Montreal. According to Caps senior writer Mike Vogel, both forward D.J. King and defenseman Tyler Sloan are in the lineup. John Erskine (flu) is sick. Nicklas Backstrom (fractured left thumb) is out again, though Bruce Boudreau told reporters in Detroit that his star center could return against New Jersey on Friday. Otherwise, Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia is likely. Vogel reports that Michal Neuvirth gets his first start since last Monday in Tampa Bay. Big night for him as the start of a quest to establish himself as the team’s No. 1 goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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Caps (41-20-10, 92 points) at Red Wings (41-20-8, 90 points)

What » Game #72

Where » Joe Louis Arena

When » 7:30 p.m.

TV » CSN HD

Radio » WFED-1500 AM

Caps with the chance to jump into first place in the Eastern Conference and post a double-digit winning streak for the second year in a row. No easy task on the second of back-to-backs and playing at Detroit, the second-best team in the Western Conference and a perennial Stanley Cup contender. And with Philadelphia having three games in hand after tonight Washington’s one-point lead probably wouldn’t last long anyway.

Just an intriguing matchup, though, and actually not as rare as you’d think. The teams have played four times in the last three seasons, including twice in 2009-10. The Red Wings won in Detroit, 3-2, on Oct. 10, 2009. The Caps returned the favor with a 3-2 win on Jan. 19, 2010. That was victory No. 4 during the epic 14-game win streak.

Injuries aren’t helping Washington’s cause tonight. Jason Arnott (undisclosed) didn’t make the trip, Mike Green (head), Tom Poti (groin) and Semyon Varlamov (groin) are still out. Eric Fehr (undisclosed) was re-injured last night at Montreal. According to Caps senior writer Mike Vogel, D.J. King and Tyler Sloan are in the lineup. John Erskine (flu) is sick. Nicklas Backstrom (fractured left thumb) is out again, though Bruce Boudreau told reporters in Detroit that his star center could return against New Jersey on Friday. Vogel reports that Michal Neuvirth gets his first start since last Monday in Tampa Bay. Big night for him as the start of a quest to establish himself as the team’s No. 1 goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs.