The Washington Capitals fell to the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 in preseason action on Saturday.
The Capitals, dressing a roster of mostly mid-tier players, were left scrambling multiple times in their own zone as Red Wings veterans took advantage.
The team showed some fight late in the second period, with Dylan Strome a part of two goals, but it was not enough.
The Red Wings’ Austin Czarnik started the scoring, picking up a loose puck down the wing and beating Hunter Shepard with a snap shot. The goal came 7:19 into the first period.
.@ACzarnik7 with a beauty!
📺: @BallySportsDET#LGRW pic.twitter.com/MZnzyUd8tj
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 30, 2023
Moritz Seider made it 2-0 five minutes and fifty-three seconds later, finding the net from long range as the Capitals were caved-in on the penalty kill.
Let's see some Mo! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/C0FFOHxR0h
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 30, 2023
Dylan Larkin extended the Red Wings’ lead to 3-0 with a power-play goal, beating Hunter Shepard as Ethen Frank exited the box down two men.
Can watch this all day. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/J3hxH3jH90
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2023
The Capitals finally responded 8:47 into the second period as Dylan Strome found some open space and scored on a unstoppable wrist shot during a power play.
Strome strikes on the power play pic.twitter.com/HsoI77cCv0
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 1, 2023
The Red Wings’ Cross Hanas, unmarked by a Capitals defender, would respond shortly after on a rebound.
Cross picks up the rebound! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QCAk53P51N
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2023
Strome, Milano, and Philipps all registered multi-point nights after Philipps went to one knee and finished a tic-tac-toe goal to make it 4-2.
tic-tac-goal pic.twitter.com/0tOY6cDnp7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 1, 2023
Larkin officially put the game out of reach 5:43 into the third period with a sensational curl-and-drag goal while both teams played four-on-four. The goal marked Larkin’s second of the night.
Dylan Larkin doing Dylan Larkin things. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/XXHAVROAH8
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2023
Despite the score, Hunter Shepard was at times brilliant as most of the goals he gave up were high-danger chances close to the net with little to no defense from the Capitals. He made 19 saves on the night. Washington is now 1-1-1 in the preseason.
#JoeBSuitOfTheNight #CapsRedWings @JoeBpXp with a red, pink, and white number in honor of being in Detroit. Exquisite. pic.twitter.com/LTNevb018E
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) September 30, 2023
Notes: There were 10 minor penalties called in the game, six of which were called on the Capitals. Anthony Mantha fought Marco Kasper late in the third period after taking a cross-check in the back. Robby Fabri left the game early and was announced out during the second intermission. Several Detroit Lions were at Little Caesar’s Arena for the game.
.@Lions in the house! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/kt2qMlDysr
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2023
Headline photo: @JohnWaltonPXP/X