APRIL 8•SUNHERALD.COM
Stakes high, pressure soaring as Red Wings host CapitalsThe next two games will go a long way toward deciding whether the Detroit Red Wings end their seven-season playoff drought.They are battling...
Ville Husso - Sent to AHL for conditioningHusso (lower body) was loaned to AHL Grand Rapids on Monday for a conditioning assignment.
ImpactHusso's only appearance since Dec. 18 lasted for just 8:48 of ice time against Edmonton on Feb. 13. He has posted a 9-5-2 record this season with a 3.55 GAA and an .892 save percentage in 19 appearances with the Red Wings. Alex Lyon and James Reimer have been handling the goaltending duties for Detroit during Husso's extended absence.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
Michael Rasmussen - Won't play against CapitalsRasmussen (upper body) won't be in the lineup Tuesday against Washington.
ImpactRasmussen, who is considered day-to-day, will miss his third straight contest. He has earned 13 goals, 33 points, 101 shots on net and 124 hits in 75 games this season. Daniel Sprong will be in the lineup again Tuesday because of Rasmussen's absence.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
Alex Lyon - Starting TuesdayLyon will patrol the home crease Tuesday against Washington, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
ImpactLyon is coming off a 37-save performance in Sunday's 3-1 win over Buffalo. He has a 20-17-4 record this campaign with a 2.98 GAA and a .908 save percentage over 41 games played. The struggling Capitals sit 29th in the league with 2.65 goals per contest this season.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
Alex Lyon - Secures win No. 20Lyon recorded his 20th win of the season in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Sabres, stopping 37 of 38 shots.
ImpactLyon has been enjoying quite a first full NHL season, going 20-17-4 with a 2.98 GAA in his 41 appearances. The Minnesota native will likely continue seeing a heavy dose of the workload the rest of the way, including possibly starting against Washington on Tuesday.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - Concedes three in lossLuukkonen allowed three shots on 24 shots in a 3-1 defeat to Detroit on Sunday.
ImpactLuukkonen has been absolutely grinding for the Sabres this season, playing in 32 of the club's last 37 contests. During that stretch, the netminder went 18-13-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .917 save percentage. Still, once Buffalo is officially eliminated from the postseason, the team could decide to utilize Eric Comrie more or bring Devon Levi up from the minors.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
Lucas Raymond - Registers two points in big winRaymond notched one goal and one assist in Sunday's 3-1 victory over Buffalo.
ImpactRaymond opened the scoring just 53 seconds into the contest. He also set up a power-play goal by Dylan Larkin in the first period to give Detroit a 3-0 lead. Raymond concluded the contest with five shots on goal in 21:14 of ice time. Detroit's triumph moved the team into the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but there will be plenty of competition for that spot down the stretch. Following a four-game scoreless slump, he has two goals and one helper in his past two outings. Raymond has compiled 26 goals and 63 points through 77 games this season.
APRIL 8•ROTOWIRE
