PREVIEW: Detroit concludes road trip in D.C. on Tuesday

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Detroit Red Wings will look to finish their season-high five-game road trip on a high note, facing the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena.

Puck drop between Detroit (26-21-8; 60 points) and Washington (28-24-6; 62 points) is set for 7 p.m. on Bally Sports Detroit and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit).

The Red Wings currently trail the Florida Panthers (64 points) by four points for the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Along with Detroit and Washington, there are four other clubs within eight points competing for a playoff berth in the ultra-tight standings.
The New York Islanders (65 points) currently occupy the first wild card spot, while the Pittsburgh Penguins (63 points) are one point behind the Panthers. Like Detroit, the Buffalo Sabres (60 points) are chasing the Capitals. The Ottawa Senators (58 points) and Philadelphia Flyers (56 points) are also aiming to play their way in.
Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said it's no secret that Tuesday's game is pivotal for his club.
"The guys, this is what they've battled for," Lalonde said. "This is what they've wanted - important games late in the season. We're right here and I'm excited to see how we handle it."
After Monday's practice at Capital One Arena, Lalonde confirmed the Red Wings will be without Lucas Raymond for the sixth straight game.

Raymond was placed on injured reserve on Feb. 14, retroactive to Feb. 10.
"He will not be available for us (on Tuesday)," Lalonde said. "We're hoping for Thursday. I think he would like to be on track for Thursday and doesn't want to mess with his Bobblehead Night (on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena).
And after Tuesday's morning skate, Lalonde said that Jakub Vrana will slot into Detroit's lineup for the first time since Oct. 15. The 26-year-old Czech forward was reinstated by the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program on Dec. 16 before being assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Dec. 28.
"I've been watching the games and the guys have been playing great," said Vrana, who was recalled from the Griffins on Feb. 14. "This game (on Tuesday) is really important for our group here. At this time of the year, you gotta come in and prepare every day. Just give it all you got."

The Red Wings saw their season-high five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.
The Capitals enter Tuesday on a four-game winless streak. On Saturday, Washington fell, 4-1, to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Navy Federal Stadium Series outdoor game at Carter Finley Stadium.
Alex Ovechkin, who leads the Capitals in goals (32) and points (54), will not play against the Red Wings. He is currently on an extended leave of absence from the club following the death of his father on Feb. 15.
Evgeny Kuznetsov (9-36--45) ranks second on Washington in assists and points, while goalies Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren have combined for a 2.68 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Tuesday's game will conclude the season series between the Red Wings and Capitals. Detroit is 1-1 against Washington this season, most recently dropping a 4-3 overtime decision at Capital One Arena on Dec. 19.