Washington vs. Detroit: Who Wins Leading Up to Saturday Matchup?

It is the biggest faceoff of October this Saturday as the league's only two undefeated teams battle. 

The 5-0 Washington Capitals go up against the 4-0 Detroit Red Wings in what can be considered each conference's cream of the crop. 

With one game for each team in between the monumental contest this weekend, two questions remain: Who will come into the game undefeated and, more importantly, who is going to come out on top?

Washington Capitals

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Washington has been an interesting team to watch for the first two weeks of the season. From an exciting shootout with Tampa Bay to an all-around dominating performance against Florida, Washington has proven it is the real deal in the East.

However, Washington has looked shaky and four of its five games have only been settled by one goal. With Ovechkin being a huge disappearing act in these first five games, there is definitely still room for improvement. 

• Carolina at Washington (October 8th) WSH 4, CAR 3 OT
• Tampa Bay at Washington (October 10th) WSH 6, TBL 5 S/O
• Washington at Pittsburgh (October 13th) WSH 3, PIT 2 OT
• Ottawa at Washington (October 15th) WSH 2, OTT 1
• Florida at Washington (October 18th) WSH 3, FLA 0

MVP so far

Tomas Vokoun publicly apologized after letting in five goals in his debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He called that game the worst of his long career and vowed to play better in the future. After that game, Vokoun has been lights-out, allowing only three goals in three games. He has a .935 save percentage and a 1.94 GAA on the season. His play in net is slowly starting to reinvent the Washington defense. 

Runners-up: Nicklas Backstrom (one goal and five assists) and Jason Chimera (four goals).

Upcoming Game: Thursday, October 20th at Philadelphia

This game may be a close one for Washington. Philadelphia has a high-flying and potent offense that has scored 19 goals in 5 games. The Flyers seem to be able to score on any of their top three lines. Even worse for the Capitals, the game is being played in Philadelphia. However, even with all that, the Capitals are coming off arguably their most convincing victory in about six months against the Florida Panthers and will still be able to dispatch the Flyers on Thursday.

Prediction: WSH 3, PHI 2

Detroit Red Wings

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So far, the Red Wings have four impressive victories under their belt. This includes wins over a surging Colorado squad (who currently holds the first spot in the West) and the always-dangerous Vancouver Canucks. In total, they've outscored their opponents 13-5 in four games.

• Ottawa at Detroit (October 7th) DET 5, OTT 3
• Detroit at Colorado (October 8th) DET 3, COL 0
• Vancouver at Detroit (October 13th) DET 2, VAN 0
• Detroit at Minnesota (October 15th) DET 3, MIN 2 (OT)

MVP so far

Ian White was an expected offseason acquisition by the Red Wings after the retirement of Brian Rafalski. Detroit is always potent at the blue line and without Rafalski, the Red Wings were missing one of the best puck-movers in the league. Ian White seemed to fit the bill as the most viable option. Through four games, White has more than proved his worth. He is a plus-4 with two goals and an assist and has looked impressive so far for Detroit.

Upcoming Game: Friday, October 21st vs. Columbus

These two clubs could not have started out any differently. Columbus is 0-5-1 in its first six and is going to try and get its first win of the season at the Joe. Unfortunately, this Detroit team will be primed and ready for Nash and company. Expect a thorough beating by Detroit, a warm-up before its big game against Washington on Saturday.

Prediction: DET 4, CBJ 1

Winner: Washington Capitals

Playing back-to-back games will prove too tough for the Red Wings after their six days off. 

Detroit will come into the game undefeated, but will walk out with its first loss of the season. That being said, the better team will lose on Saturday.

The Capitals still have a lot of kinks to work out in their system before being dubbed the best team in the league. Detroit has played a much cleaner and better style of hockey than the Capitals thus far.

The combination of fatigue and home-ice advantage will be the difference in this undefeated matchup. Ovechkin will finally score two goals in a game for the first time this season as well.

Prediction: WSH 4, DET 2