Game #80 Recap: Caps 3 Toronto 2 (OT-SO)

Washington played a tight game against the Maple Leafs and came away with the victory in the post game skills competition. Mike Knuble scored the lone goal in the fourth round of the shootout to win the contest. Knuble calmly skated in a fired a wrist shot past Toronto goalie James Reimer who had stopped 39 of 41 Capitals shots on the night. On the other end Michal Neuvirth picked up win number 27 stopping 19 of 21 shots in the game and 4 of 4 in the shootout. The Capitals defense played well allowing only 21 shots on the net and blocking another 18. The Leafs got on the board first with a power play goal that was fired though a screen that Neuvirth saw too late to react. The Capitals responded with a 5-on-3 power play goal from Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin one-timed a huge blast from the left point into the top of the net. It was the 300th goal of his 473 game NHL career. The laefs retook the lead in the second period on a cross ice pass to the right post that Neuvirth couldn't reach. The Capitals response came from an unlikely source. Big John Erskine got a rolling puck at the left point and fired a slap shot in the general vicinity of the net. Fortunately for Erskine the puck bounced off of a Leafs defender and into the net to tie the game at 2-2. The rest of the game saw the Leafs and Caps battle back and fourth with the Caps pumping shot after shot onto the Toronto net while the Caps defense limited the Leafs chances. Neuvirth had to made several good saves when called upon. Alex Ovechkin had an excellent chance when his wrist shot eluded Reimer but the goalie got enough of a redirect that it went off the post and out. The Capitals have two games remaining with a home and home series with the Florida Panthers.

Of Note:

• The Capitals have scored 3 power play goals in the last 2 games but the penalty killers have let in 2 over the same span.
• Alex Ovechkin scored his 300th career goal and loves playing the Leafs where in 23 career games he has 23 goals.
• Brooks Laich, Marco Sturm, Matt Bradley and Matt Hendricks each had an assist in the game.
• The only Caps not to record at least one shot in the game were Bradley and Sturm. Ovechkin led the team with 7 shots on goal along with 6 missed shots and 4 blocked.
• Jeff Schultz, Scott Hannan and John Carlson each had 3 blocked shots for the defense.
• I find it a bit odd that the official score sheet shows the Leafs out hitting the Caps 50 to 25. It sure didn't look that way during the game. Hometown scorer I guess.

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Game Highlights:

Game #80 Preview: Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs

Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto Ontario

When:  April 5, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 8-2-3-1

Caps Game 80 Record: 21-10-3-0

All-Time vs. TOR: 57-49-10-5

All-Time at TOR: 21-28-6-3

Last Season vs. TOR: 2-1-1

Last Meeting: 1/22/11, WAS 4 TOR 1

Season Series: 2-0-1

This Year:

WAS Record: 46-22-11

Standings Points: 103

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd

Last Game: 3/29/11, WAS 5 BUF 4 (OT)

Streak: Win 2

BUF Record: 37-32-10

Standings Points: 84

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 10th    

Last Game: 4/2/11, TOR 4 OTT 2

Streak: Win 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 18 STURM, 44 ARNOTT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 25 CHIMERA

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 23 HANNAN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 89 SLOAN, 62 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Toronto

Forward Line 1: 81 KESSEL, 84 GRABOVSKI, 41 KULEMIN

Forward Line 2: 16 MACARTHUR, 42 BOZAK, 19 LUPUL

Forward Line 3: 43 KADRI, 47 BOYCE, 46 CRABB

Forward Line 4: 18 BROWN, 37 BRENT, 38 ROSEHILL

Defense Pair 1: 3 PHANEUF, 59 AULIE

Defense Pair 2: 2 SCHENN, 36 GUNNARSSON

Defense Pair 3: 8 KOMISAREK, 29 LASHOFF

Goalie: 34 REIMER

Back-up Goalie: 35 GIGUERE

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, (upper body) IR, 52 GREEN (head) IR, 6 WIDEMAN (lower body) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (undisclosed) DTD

TOR – ORR (concussion) IR, ARMSTRONG (broken foot) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 3 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Alex Ovechkin needs 1 goal to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals, with a severely banged up defense corps, head to the Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Maple Leafs who are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs. The Leafs currently sit in the tenth position six points back of the eighth place Buffalo Sabres with 3 games remaining. A Washington win in regulation would mathematically eliminate Toronto. Washington will be looking to shore up its defensive game as the Caps have been losing defensemen as well as giving up goals in the third period in each of the last three games. They were able to pull out two overtime wins but in the other game they fell in the shootout. I would expect another good outing from Alex Ovechkin who appears ready to go after coming off the injured list last week. He scored a hat trick last time out against the Leafs and has 22 goals in 22 lifetime games against Toronto. I expect this will be another spirited affair between the two teams but I think the Leafs will be overwhelmed in the end.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 TOR 2

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Game #49 Recap: Caps 4 Toronto 1

For the first time since October 30th, Alex Ovechkin had a multi-point game. And for the first time since December 21st, the Capitals scored more than 3 goals in a game. Ovechkin completed the 10th hat trick of his career and Matt Hendricks scored a breakaway goal with an unbelievable finish to give the Caps a 2-0-1 record on the three game road trip. The Caps got on the board in the first period when Jeff Schultz fired a slap shot from the point and Ovechkin tipped the shot in front of the Toronto net minder. The Caps were held in the game with superb play from rookie goaltender Braden Holtby. The 21-year old stopped several odd man rushes and made a spectacular glove save to win his second consecutive start. Washington and Toronto played scorless in the second period but the Caps took a two goal lead at the beginning of the third when Ovechkin gathered a rebound at the top of the crease and put the puck under the goalie for a two goal lead. The lead was cut in half a little over a minute later when Toronto got a point drive deflection in front. The puck changed direction and Holtby couldn't react in time. Washington got their two goal cushion back as Matt Hendricks stole the puck at the Capitals blue line and raced in all alone. Hendricks faked a shot, then deked  the goalie out of his jock strap and then placed the puck deftly into the net. The Caps then put up the defensive front and stifled the leafs the rest of the way. Toronto tried to get close by pulling the goalie with over two minute remaining but the Capitals held firm and got the final goal when Ovechkin finished the hat trick into an empty net.The Caps head back home for a rematch with the New York Rangers who beat the Caps 7-0 the last time the two teams met.

Of Note:

• The Capitals killed off all 3 Toronto plays and have allowed only 1 power play goal against in the last 5 games. The Washington power play is still sputtering going 0 for 2 in the contest.
• Braden Holtby took the #1 Star honors with 34 saves on 35 shots and really frustrating the Leaf shooters.
• The Capitals blocked a season high 27 shots. Mike Green and John Erskine lead the team with 4 each. Alex Ovechkin tyed a career high with 3 blocked shots including laying out in front of Dione Phaneuf in the closing minutes of the game.
• The defensive tandem of Green and Jeff Schultz did pretty well on the night with 1 assist and a +3 rating each.
• Nicklas Backstrom had assists on two of the Ovechkin goals and Jason Chimera and John Carlson each had 1 assist.
• Interesting note: the Capitals as a team are shooting at 8.8% which is the second lowest in team history. In the 1998-1999 season the team shot a franchise low 8.4% and even in their inaugural year when the won just 8 games, they still shot 9.8%.
• The Capitals remain 1 standings point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Southeast Division lead.

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Game #49 Preview: Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs

Where: Air Canada Center, Toronto, ON

When:  January 22, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-4-1-0

Caps Game 49 Record: 17-15-1-1

All-Time vs. TOR: 56-49-10-5

All-Time at TOR: 20-28-6-3

Last Season vs. TOR: 2-1-1

Last Meeting: 12/6/10, WAS 3 TOR 4 (OT-SO)

This Year:

WAS Record: 26-14-8

Standings Points: 60

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 1/20/11, WAS 2 NYI 1

Streak: Won 1

TOR Record: 19-22-5

Standings Points: 43

Division Rank: 4th

Conference Rank: 12th    

Last Game: 1/20/11, TOR 5 ANA 2

Streak: Won 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 25 CHIMERA

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 22 KNUBLE  

Forward Line 3: 26 HENDRICKS, 85 PERRAULT, 83 BEAGLE

Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 15 GORDON, 39 STECKEL

Defense Pair 1: 52 GREEN, 55 SCHULTZ

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 23 HANNAN, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Toronto

Forward Line 1: 16 MACARTHUR, 84 GRABOVSKI, 41 KULEMIN

Forward Line 2: 46 CRABB, 42 BOZAK, 81 KESSEL

Forward Line 3: 32 VERSTEEG, 47 BOYCE, 9 ARMSTRONG

Forward Line 4: 45 MUELLER, 37 BRENT, 28 ORR

Defense Pair 1: 3 PHANEUF, 22 BEAUCHEMIN

Defense Pair 2: 2 SCHENN, 15 KABERLE

Defense Pair 3: 8 KOMISAREK, 36 GUNNARSSON

Goalie: 35 GIGUERE

Back-up Goalie: 50 GUSTAVSSON

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (upper body) IR, 10 BRADLEY (broken finger) IR, 28 SEMIN (hip) DTD, 16 FEHR (upper body) DTD, 30 NEUVIRTH (lower body) DTD

TOR – MITCHELL (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 5 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 7 goals to reach 100 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals finish off this three game road trip in Toronto. The Caps lost in overtime 3-2 to the first place Flyers and beat the second to last place Islanders 2-1. Both one goal games but the level of competition is nowhere close to the same. The battle for consistency continues against a Toronto team that has been just as inconsistent with a 7-0 loss to the Ranger followed up the next day with a 5-2 win over the Ducks. For Washington, the top line is the key and they haven’t been producing. They took a step in the right direction against the Isles, scoring both goals but Ovechkin and Backstrom spent time in the penalty box. The Caps had to kill off 6 power plays and will need to be more disciplined going forward. The Leafs always seem to present a challenge to the Caps so look for another close game. I would like to see the top line take control of the game and get back on track. I expect this game to be physical early and if the Capitals can get the early lead, a big if, they will win.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 TOR 2

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Game #29 Recap: Caps 4 Toronto 5 (OT-SO)

The Capitals dominated the first 40-minutes of last night's game with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Washington built a comfortable 4-1 advantage. So comfortable that the team practically slept through the third period and allowed 3 unanswered goals and lost the game in the shootout. The 5-4 loss was the third loss in a row for Washington, who lost another defenseman to injury in the process. Jeff Schultz the steady top line defensive partner to Mike Green broke his thumb blocking a shot and will be out 4 to 6 weeks. The Caps got out to a good start when Mathiue Perrault defelcted a Tom Poti point drive for the Capitals first goal. Toronto tied it on the power play when an errant clearing attempt ended up on a Toronto stick and ultimately in the back of the net. The Caps responded with a power play goal of their own when Mike Knuble gathered his own rebound in the slot and put home a wrist shot to the top corner. Perrault picked up his second of the contest when Brooks Laich found him all alone on the left side of the crease. As Alexander Semin took a beating in the paint Perrault calmly held the puck until he got the goalie out of position and fired home the shot. Alex Ovechkin got his second goal in two games with a vintage Ovechkin goal. Coming down the left wing he ripped a wrist shot past a defender and the goalie for his 12th goal of the season.  It was all down hill from there. The Maple Leafs scored three goals in the third including the game-tying marker with their goalie pulled. All three goals were the result of defensive breakdowns by the Capitals. If this team wants to contend it needs to close out games like this. A 4-1 lead to start the third period against the 13th best team in the conference should be a foregone conclusion. The Caps need to make it so.

Of note:

• Michael Nuevirth took the loss stopping 24 of 28 shots and 2 of 3 shootout attempts. 
• The Caps dominated the face-off circle against Toronto winning 33 of 58 draws. Boyd Gordon led the way winning 12 and losing 3. 
• Tom Poti returned to the lineup and contributed 3 assists and 3 blocked shots on the night. 
• A day after being recalled from Hershey, Mathieu Perrault picked up 2 goals and provided some much needed energy to the Capitals team. He needs to bring consistency to his game if he wants to remain with the big club.
• Alex Ovechkin, Perrault, and Alexander Semin were all denied in the shootout.
• The Caps went 1 for 3 on the power play and killed 3 of 4 Toronto power play attempts.
• Nicklas Backstrom had two assists while Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich each had 1 apiece. 

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Game #29 Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  December 6, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 7-6-1-0

Caps Game 29 Record: 19-12-4-0

All-Time vs. TOR: 56-49-10-4

All-Time Home vs. TOR: 36-21-4-1

Last Season vs. TOR: 2-1-1

Last Meeting: 11/3/10, WAS 5 TOR 4 (OT-SO)

This Year:

WAS Record: 18-8-2

Standings Points: 38

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd      

Last Game: 12/4/10, WAS 1 ATL 3

Streak: Loss 2

TOR Record: 9-12-4

Standings Points: 22

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 13th    

Last Game: 12/4/10, TOR 3 BOS 2 (OT-SO)

Streak: Win 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 89 SLOAN, 23 HANNAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Toronto

Forward Line 1: 16 MACARTHUR, 84 GRABOVSKI, 41 KULEMIN

Forward Line 2: 32 VERSTEEG, 81 KESSEL, 9 ARMSTRONG

Forward Line 3: 11 SJOSTROM, 42 BOZAK, 37 BRENT

Forward Line 4: 38 ROSEHILL, 43 KADRI, 28 ORR

Defense Pair 1: 2 SCHENN, 22 BEAUCHEMIN

Defense Pair 2: 8 KOMISEREK, 15 KABERLE

Defense Pair 3: 59 AULIE, 36 GUNNARSSON

Goalie: 35 GIGUERE

Back-up Goalie: 50 GUSTVASSON

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (lower body) DTD, 4 ERSKINE (lower body) DTD

Toronto – 9 ARMSTRONG (finger) IR, BROWN (finger) IR, PHANEUF (leg) IR

Caps Milestones:

Jason Chimera needs 1 point to reach 200 in his career.

Mike Knuble needs 8 points to reach 500 in his career.

Preview:

The Toronto Maple Leafs come to Verizon Center to face a Capitals team that has lost two consecutive games where they failed to score more than one goal. Look for the Capitals to break out of the goal scoring slump. Alex Ovechkin broke his personal 9-game goalless streak with a goal on Saturday against the Thrashers. Ovechkin and the rest of the team need to get better shots on the net and that comes with hard work. The Caps put 46 shots on net but did not have many rebound or deflection attempts. Tonight’s game will be another hardworking game as Toronto never seems to go away and the Caps have struggled with them in the recent past. I expect the Caps to pour on the pressure early and try to get on the board first. Look out for Ovechkin who is due for a big game.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 TOR 2

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Game #12 Recap: Caps 5 Toronto 4 (OT-SO)

It took the shootout to settle last night's game with the Maple Leafs. Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin each scored in the skills competition while Caps goalie Michael Nuevirth stopped both Toronto attempts he faced for the victory. Once again the Capitals allowed the first goal of the game only to come roaring back in the second period with three goals. They then allowed the Leafs back into the game by giving up 3 goal in about three minutes early in the third period. The Caps forced overtime when Semin scored a power play goal on a rebound with 6-minutes remaining in regulation. The overtime saw the Caps go on the power play but failed to score.

Of Note:

• Michael Nuevirth now leads the league with 8 wins. He stopped 24 of 28 shots on the night.
• Alexander Semin had 1 goal and 1 assist and has put up 5 points in his last 2 games.
• Mike Green had an up and down game. He scored the Caps first goal but was a -3 on the night.
• The power play has picked up for the team. They scored on 2 of 4 attempts and have 5 power play goals in the last 2 games. The penalty killer gave up 1 goal on 4 chances. 
• Jason Chimera and Tomas Fleischmann had the other goals for the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich had 2 assists each. Boyd Gordon, Matt Bradley, and John Carlson had 1 assist each.
• The Capitals will face the Boston Bruins for the third time this season on Friday.

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Game #12 Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington DC

When:  November 2, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-8-1-0

Caps Game 12 Record: 10-21-4-0

All-Time vs. TOR: 55-49-10-4

All-Time Home vs. TOR: 35-21-4-1

Last Season vs. TOR: 2-1-1

Last Meeting: 1/15/10, WAS 6 TOR 1

This Year:

WAS Record: 7-4-0

Standings Points: 14

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 4th      

Last Game: 10/30/10, WAS 7 CAL 2

Streak: Win 1

TOR Record: 5-5-1

Standings Points: 11

Division Rank: 3rd

Conference Rank: 9th    

Last Game: 11/2/10, TOR 2 OTT 3

Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 2: 14 FLEISCHMANN, 21 LAICH, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 15 GORDON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 10 BRADLEY, 39 STECKEL, 26 HENDRICKS

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 4 ERSKINE, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 89 SLOAN

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 70 HOLTBY

Toronto

Forward Line 1: 33 CAPUTI, 42 BOZAK, 81 KESSEL

Forward Line 2: 16 MACARTHUR, 84 GRABOVSKI, 32 VERSTEEG

Forward Line 3: 11 SJOSTROM, 37 BRENT, 41 KULEMIN

Forward Line 4: 18 BROWN, 20 HANSON, 28 ORR

Defense Pair 1: 3 PHANEUF, 22 BEAUCHEMIN

Defense Pair 2: 3 SCHENN, 15 KABERLE

Defense Pair 3: 8 KOMISEREK, 36 GUNNARSSON

Goalie: 35 GIGUERE

Back-up Goalie: 50 GUSTVASSON

Injuries:

Washington – 1 VARLAMOV (groin) IR, 3 POTI (lower body) DTD, 90 JOHANSSON (hip flexor) DTD

Toronto – 9 ARMSTRONG (finger) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 5 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 5 points to reach 200 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals return to Washington after winning 2 of 3 on the road last week. Following another dreadful start in Calgary, the Caps turned in a 6-spot in the second period and ran away with a 7-2 victory. The team will try to build on the momentum when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have been up a down this season but always give the Caps a tough game. The Leafs will be on the back half of back-to-back games following a 3-2 loss to Ottawa at home last night. Look for the Caps try and even out their start and get on the board first. Washington has scored only 5 first period goals in the 11 games this season. Goalie Michael Nuevith was named the Rookie of the month for October and has been rock solid in net. I think this game will start out extremely physical with both teams trying to send a message but the Capitals overall talent should give them the edge. Ovechkin is starting to heat up so I would hate to be in goal for the Leafs.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 TOR 1

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Game #37 Recap - Capitals 4 Maple Leafs 1

On a night when Mike Gartner's #11 jersey was raised to the rafters, the Capitals took care of business by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. During the pre-game skate the team all wore #11 retro jerseys to honor the Hall-of-Fame winger. The Caps extended their home winning streak to 5 games and have compiled an Eastern Conference best 15-1-1 record at home. Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin took care of the scoring. Each picked up 2 goals while Jose Theodore stopped 23 of 24 shots win his 11th game on the season. Mike Green and Jeff Schultz both returned to the Capitals lineup after missing 2 and 15 games respectively. On a night when the Caps paid tribute to a truly class individual, it was good to see the team respond with a workmanlike effort that would make him proud.

Of Note:

• Ovechkin now has 188 career goals, tying him with Bobby Carpenter for 6th place on the Caps All-Time Goals Scored list. He also got the game-winner moving him 1 ahead of Michal Pivonka for 6th most in Caps history. Ovechkin has 5 goals in his last 3 games.
• Brooks Laich had his 1st multi-goal game of the season and he is 1 of 4 Caps to appear in all 37 games this season.
• The Caps were 1 for 1 on the power play and held the Maple Leafs without a goal in 2 attempts.
• David Steckel was money in the face-off dot winning 11 of 14 draws. The Caps won 30 and lost 25 draws overall.
• Nicklas Backstrom picked up 2 assists in the game and has 6 assists in his last 3 games.
• The Caps have won 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9.
  

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