Red Wings earn point in Washington but fall further out of playoffs with 4-3 OT loss

"We want these tight games as late (into the season) as possible," said coach Derek Lalonde after the morning skate. "Again, the teams that win find themselves in position and Washington is winning. We've done our part (winning three of six after a seven-game losing streak) to stay in this battle."

David Perron broke a 1-1 tie with 43 seconds left in the second period, and DeBrincat got the Wings going offensively with his 24th goal.

Lalonde appreciated the Wings' resilience after a recent seven-game losing streak.

"To fight back into it," said Lalonde of what he's liked during this turnaround. "That losing streak was real tough on the group. They kept it afloat and obviously getting (captain) Dylan (Larkin) back helps solidify our lineup a little bit. But I've liked our team game since then."

Perron broke a 1-1 tie with his 14th goal. The Wings had a strong power play going, pressuring the Capitals, and off a scramble, after Lindgren had made two sliding saves, Perron put a loose puck past a prone Lindgren, Perron's 14th goal.

Washington's Nic Dowd and DeBrincat traded second-period goals earlier in the period.

Lalonde wanted to see a sound, tight game from the Wings, similar to Saturday's in Nashville, despite the difficult 1-0 loss to the Predators.

"We've played eight good periods, from the third period on of the Columbus game," said Lalonde before the Washington game.

Dowd opened the game's scoring, just 2:09 into the second period. Former Wings defenseman Nick Jensen had possession of the puck along the boards and found Dowd drifting into the slot. Dowd unleashed a shot past Lyon, his ninth goal.

But DeBrincat answered quickly. DeBrincat drove to the net and converted a nice centering pass from Jeff Petry, DeBrincat's first goal in 13 games, at 4:53 of the second period.

The Wings are relishing these important late-season games, meaningful games they've been wanting to play for seven years now. But they understand they need to begin winning these games to reach the ultimate goal of making the playoffs.

"Part of us wanting to be in this situation is growth in our organization," Lalonde said. "We have to have steps. We've taken the step now, and the other part of growth is how youth handles (these games)."

Said Lyon, who was part of an improbable late-season and playoff run with Florida last spring, "it's one of the most treasured times for me. We were eight points out with like six games to go (in Florida last season). It was like, let's enjoy the moment, let's enjoy the group, let's enjoy the experience. That's how you’re going to yield the best results, just being in the moment."