Jakub Voracek’s assist was straight out of a video game (Video)

Detroit Red Wings finally return to Little Caesars Arena, but tough week awaits

The Lightning, the Leafs and the Capitals have three of the most powerful offenses in the NHL; Wings' recent first-round picks had a good weekend The Detroit Red Wings have much to like after their first five games, but their moxie is about to get challenged by some of the best teams in the NHL. After four consecutive games on the road, the Red Wings finally get to play again at Little Caesars Arena this week. The Tampa Bay Lightning are in town Monday and the Washington Capitals come in Friday; in between there’s a visit to the Toronto Maple Leafs. All three teams are expected to contend for the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings have earned the right to feel good about themselves after a 4-1 start,

NHL power rankings 2.0: Blackhawks are not backing down

Here are USA TODAY Sports' NHL power rankings based primarily on the team's start, with some consideration to schedule and level of play. 1. Chicago Blackhawks (4-1-1) Fourth in goals per game and third in goals against. So much for taking a step backward. 2. Los Angeles Kings (4-0-1) Last year’s decline was about Jonathan Quick’s injury, and he’s back. 3. Ottawa Senators (3-0-2) Impressive start for a team playing without Erik Karlsson, who is set to return Tuesday. 4. New Jersey Devils (4-1-0) Are they the NHL’s most improved team? Sample size too small to know for sure, but their start shows they are a team on the rise. 5. Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1-0) Maple Leafs are showing a 1980s offense,

Flyers Weekly Observations: Highs of crushing Washington, lows of falling apart in Nashville

The Washington Capitals are already missing Matt Niskanen on defense

The Washington Capitals defense was always going to be thinner this season. Losing Kevin Shattenkirk to New York, Karl Alzner to Montreal, and Nate Schmidt to the expansion draft punched out a sizable hole in the Capitals defense that only rookie talent could fill. Then, when Matt Niskanen went down with an injury Friday night, things went from passable to slightly worrying. The Capitals defense lost its No. 1 defenseman, leaving veterans Brooks Orpik, John Carlson, and Dmitry Orlov to hold the fort for at least 10 games as Niskanen headed to long-term injured reserve. Making up the rest of the Capitals defense, for now, will be Aaron Ness, Christian Djoos, and Madison Bowey, who have a combined

Lars Eller misses Caps’ practice with illness, questionable to play against Maple Leafs

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller missed Monday’s practice with an illness and Coach Barry Trotz said he doesn’t know if Eller will be available for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eller was “under-the-weather” when he arrived to the team’s practice facility Monday morning. “We sent him home so that he could get better and he doesn’t get anybody else sick,” Trotz said. “I’ll have to just wait for a trainer’s report. … I’m sure he’s not feeling very good right now because it’s only been a few hours. We’ll see where the energy level is and all that. If he’s feeling okay, then he’ll want to play. We’ll just see where his energy level is at.” Eller centers Washington’s third line