Red Wings-Capitals: Detroit Struggles with Key Players Injured

After the loss to Dallas on Thursday, Detroit faced off against Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals in a game that showcased two of the most skilled teams in the NHL.

However, with Henrik Zetterberg still out with an injury and Tomas Holmstrom joining him back in Detroit with a sore groin, the Wings still struggled to finish as the Capitals won 4-2.

With the first period underway, Detroit showed great puck control keeping the Capitals out of the zone and had a number of great chances, but couldn't seem to get it past Jose Theodore.

That is, until Grand Rapids call-up Ville Leino scored his first NHL goal, with a great demonstration of skill on a beautiful backhanded shot right past Theodore.

Shortly after, Victor Kozlov scored for Washington and the first period ended in a tie.

The second period proved to be very similar to the first.

It was a battle of skills as a constant game of keep-away was played between Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Washington's Ovechkin.

Late in the second, Washington's Mike Green got one past Ty Conkiln but, as in the first period, shortly thereafter Johan Franzen tied the game once again for Detroit.

The third period truly seemed to be a turning point in the game, for it wasn't until late that Ovechkin showed off his skills, finally getting one in the net.

Ovechkin added another quickly on a power play, gaining the crowd on his side.

Detroit fought hard, and Washington took some penalties late in the third, but the Wings could not beat Theodore despite skating with two extra men for almost two minutes at the end of the game.

This was the fifth-straight loss for the Wings. They look to break that streak as they play St. Louis on Monday.