Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Penguins, Capitals running on fumes; Red Wings moving on up

Detroit 5-1 in last six games

Published

1 year ago

February 22, 2023

Bob Duff

Are Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins running out of gas?

If the Detroit Red Wings were a 1970s TV sitcom, they’d be the Jeffersons. They’re movin’ on up on the East side.

On the other hand, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins are looking more like Uncle Joe from the 1960s sitcom Petticoat Junction. They’re movin’ kinda slow.

Maybe it has something to do with the advanced age of both clubs. At an average age of 30 years and 57 days, the Penguins are the oldest team in the NHL. Right behind them at 30 years and 48 days are the Capitals.

The Penguins have lost three in a row and four of five. Washington is skidding along with five straight losses.

Is Pittsburgh giving up the ghost? The Penguins are making veteran defenseman Jeff Petry, the son of former Detroit Tigers pitcher Dan Petry, available in trade rumors.

INJURY UPDATE: #Caps Anthony Mantha sustained an upper body injury and will not return to tonight’s game.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 22, 2023

While losing 3-1 to the Red Wings on Tuesday, the Capitals were also losing former Detroit forward Anthony Mantha to an upper-body injury.

Currently, Pittsburgh sits ninth in the Eastern Conference race, one point behind Florida for the second Wild Card place. Washington and Detroit are another point back. The Wings have won five of their last six games.

The Capitals and Penguins both haven’t missed the playoffs in the same season since 2005-06. That was the rookie NHL campaign for Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, his Washington counterpart.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Minus captain Dylan Larkin, Detroit still powered to a 3-1 verdict over Washington
Jakub Vrana was playing his first game for the Red Wings since Oct. 15
What to make of Red Wings draft pick Dmitri Buchelnikov’s solid season?

Red Wings Next Game

The New York Rangers are visiting Little Caesars Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET). On Nov. 10 the Rangers were whipping Detroit 8-2 at LCA.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The plan for the Boston Bruins to be playing Down under next season may be going under.

Philadelphia: Goaltender Sam Ersson’s emergence is proving to be a pleasant surprise for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Montreal: Might the NHL trade deadline provide the Montreal Canadiens with a chance to take advantage of the rapidly-thinning market for rental players?

Florida: Now that the Florida Panthers have a playoff spot, the challenge for them will be keeping it.

Islanders: Moving goaltender Semyon Varlamov is not high on the priority list for the New York Islanders.

Vegas: After placing Mark Stone on LTIR and Daniil Miromanov on IR, are the Vegas Golden Knights clearing roster and salary-cap space in order to make a move?

San Jose: Are the St. Louis Blues really willing to part with two first-round picks to acquire San Jose Sharks center Timo Meier?

Los Angeles: Do the Los Angeles Kings need to trade a forward?

Colorado: Back in concussion protocol, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will be missing at least two more games.

Calgary: Following up a huge win over the New York Rangers with a loss to the lowly Philadelphia Flyers about sums up the season for the Calgary Flames.