Caps (18-8-2, 38 points) vs. Maple Leafs (9-12-4, 22 point
What » Game #29
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
The Caps look to snap a two-game slide when they host Toronto tonight at Verizon Center. Check out our preview from today’s print edition with some analysis of why Washington has struggled to put shots on goal recently. Atlanta blocked 20 of them on Saturday night.
Looks like Michal Neuvirth is in goal for the Caps. He was the first one off the ice at the morning skate. Bruce Boudreau also said someone is headed to injured reserve today, but wouldn’t say who that is. Check out our earlier blog post on the candidates and also the recall of center Mathieu Perreault from AHL Hershey.
Yesterday, Boudreau called Toronto a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” team. They’ve had losing streaks of three, four and eight games this season. The Leafs better hope Washington’s goal drought – two in the last two games with a pair of shutouts late last month – continues. Because Toronto ranks 28th in the NHL with 2.1 goals per game. Don’t think two is going to get it done tonight at Verizon.
The Maple Leafs are 20th on the power play (15.2%) and 29th on the penalty kill (75.6%). The Caps hope to get fat with their power play tonight after an 0-for-5 spell against Atlanta. Washington dropped to fifth over on the PP (23.5%) after that performance and spent much of Sunday’s practice working with that unit. Its penalty kill is a solid eighth (84.7%) right now.
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