Washington Capitals (27-16-6 60pts) v. Toronto Maple Leafs (29-17-2 60pts)
Time: 730p EST
Station: NBC Sports Network and Sportsnet
Preview:
Tonight the Washington Capitals head to Toronto to face off against the Maple Leafs before they head into the All Star Break and Bye Week. The Capitals, who have lost 6 straight, will be looking to go into their break on a good note as they face a Maple Leafs team that is also struggling right now.
Washington Capitals:
Projected Lineup:
Alex Ovechkin — Nicklas Backstrom — T.J. Oshie
Jakub Vrana — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Tom Wilson
Dmitrij Jaskin — Lars Eller — Brett Connolly
Chandler Stephenson — Travis Boyd — Andre Burakovsky
Dmitry Orlov — John Carlson
Michal Kempny — Matt Niskanen
Brooks Orpik — Jonas Siegenthaler
Braden Holtby
Pheonix Copley
Scratched: Nic Dowd, Madison Bowey, Devante Smith-Pelly
Injured: Christian Djoos (thigh)
Keys to the Game:
1. Gain the early momentum
The Capitals need to strike early, and suck the wind out of Scotiabank Center, and put the Maple Leafs on their heels. The Capitals have given up too many early goals and need to get one first before Toronto can.
2. Play like it’s the playoffs
The Capitals need to start playing their games as if they were all playoff games. While it may be moot after tonight as the Capitals will be going on a break after they play the Leafs, it’s a good way for them to enforce good habits even during a trying time.
For the preview on the Toronto Maple Leafs, please read Steve Gardiner’s Maple Leafs Preview for tonight’s game.
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