Alex Ovechkin posted a hat trick as the Capitals cruised to a 6-2 win over the Red Wings in D.C.
Brett Connolly, Travis Boyd and T.J. Oshie also scored for Washington, which led 5-0 midway through the game.
Nicklas Backstrom had four assists for the defending NHL champion Caps, who have won three in a row and 10 of their last 12 games to lead the Metro Division with 39 points.
Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist scored in the third for Detroit, which has lost four of its last six.
The Wings host the Ottawa Senators on Friday.