WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Moritz Seider had a goal and an assist, and the Detroit Red Wings scored three times in the second period to defeat the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Capital One Arena. John Leonard opened the scoring for Detroit in the first period. Seider, James van Riemsdyk and Elmer Soderblom then scored in a decisive second-period surge. Dylan Larkin added a third-period goal for the Red Wings, who improved to 20-16. John Gibson made 24 saves for the win. Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary scored for the Capitals, who fell to 19-16. Washington, a pregame favorite, saw its two-game win streak snapped. The teams meet again Sunday in Detroit.

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Detroit Red Wings delivered a decisive and disciplined road performance, overwhelming the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Capital One Arena to split the season series ahead of an immediate rematch. Detroit, improving to 20-16, seized control with a three-goal second period and stifled a Washington power play that went 0-for-2. The Capitals, falling to 19-16, saw their two-game winning streak snapped in a contest where they were consistently outworked and outchanced. The Red Wings set the tone early, capitalizing on a sustained offensive-zone shift. Rookie John Leonard opened the scoring at 19:55 of the first period, firing a wrist shot past Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson for his first goal of the season. Assists went to Simon Edvinsson and Andrew Copp. Detroit broke the game open in the middle frame. Elmer Soderblom doubled the lead at 10:55, converting a backhand after a scramble in front. Just over nine minutes later, defenseman Moritz Seider, named the game’s top star, joined the rush and snapped a wrist shot for his fifth goal of the year at 19:55 to make it 3-0. Washington showed a brief sign of life 31 seconds later when Aliaksei Protas beat Red Wings netminder John Gibson to cut the deficit to 3-1. The momentum was short-lived. On a power play resulting from a hooking penalty against Protas, Detroit restored its three-goal cushion. James van Riemsdyk buried a rebound off a Seider point shot at 17:23, with Copp earning his second assist of the night. The third period followed a similar pattern of Detroit control. Washington defenseman Martin Fehervary scored at 15:30 to make it 4-2, but any hope of a late rally was extinguished when the Capitals unsuccessfully challenged for goaltender interference on the play. The failed challenge resulted in a delay of game penalty, and though they killed it, the sequence sapped their energy. Detroit captain Dylan Larkin sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 8:50 of the third period, his 18th of the season, assisted by Edvinsson. Gibson was stellar in net for Detroit, stopping 24 of 26 shots for the win. Thompson made 38 saves on 42 shots faced in the loss, as the Red Wings finished with a 43-26 advantage in shots on goal. Seider’s all-around performance was pivotal, contributing a goal, an assist, three shots and three hits while logging heavy minutes in all situations. Van Riemsdyk added a goal and a game-high six shots. Copp’s two assists paced the Detroit offense, while Edvinsson chipped in two helpers from the blue line. For Washington, the physical line of Nic Dowd, Brandon Duhaime and Anthony Beauvillier was noted for its effort, but the Capitals’ top offensive threats were largely contained. Alex Ovechkin was held without a point and finished with five shots. The game was a stark reversal of pregame projections. National Statistical’s game simulator had projected a 4-2 Washington victory, and its ELO system gave the Capitals a 60.6% probability to win. Washington had been installed as a 1.5-goal favorite, and the total of seven goals went over the closing over/under line of 6. The loss halts positive momentum for the Capitals, who were coming off a 4-0 shutout of Toronto on Thursday. Detroit, meanwhile, bounced back from a 4-1 home loss to Utah on Wednesday. The two teams meet again Sunday afternoon in Detroit to complete the home-and-home set. The Red Wings will then host Dallas on Tuesday. Washington travels to Detroit before returning home to face the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Preview: Red Wings at Capitals WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference standings will meet Saturday afternoon when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Both clubs enter the contest with nearly identical records. The visiting Red Wings are 19-16-0 across all competitions, while the Capitals hold a slight edge at 19-15-0. The matchup is the first of a home-and-home set, with the teams scheduled to meet again in Detroit on Sunday. Detroit aims to rebound from a 4-1 home loss to the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday. That defeat snapped a three-game winning streak. Forward J.T. Compher is a player to watch for the Red Wings. While held off the scoresheet against Utah, he has recorded three points (one goal, two assists) and 13 hits over his last nine games, providing consistent physical play. Washington arrives with momentum after a commanding 4-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Goaltender Logan Thompson was flawless, stopping all 22 shots he faced. Thompson has been a pillar for the Capitals, posting a 6-2-1 record with two shutouts and a .939 save percentage over his last nine starts. Defensemen John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun, who combined for three goals and two assists against Toronto, anchor a potent blue line. The Red Wings’ recent road form has been strong, with a 5-1-0 record in their last six games away from Detroit prior to the loss in Edmonton on Dec. 11. The Capitals, however, have been formidable at home, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games at Capital One Arena. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projection favors the Capitals with a 4-2 final score. The game will be the final contest for both teams before the league’s holiday break. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.