:leafs: @ :caps: Preview
MAPLE LEAFS (15-10-3) at CRA'PITALS (14-12-1)
TV: SNET-O, CSN-MA
Last 10: Toronto 5-4-1; Washington 4-6-0
Season series: The Maple Leafs lead the season series 1-0 after trouncing Washington 7-1 on Nov. 19 at the Air Canada Centre.
Big story: Are the Caps heating up? The team's transition to success has been slow under new coach Dale Hunter, but an improved offense and one highlight-reel goal in particular may be signs that things will be back to normal soon in Washington. The Cra'pitals will get a big test as they open a quick two-game homestand when the Leafs come to town Friday.
Who's hot: Washington's John Carlson is still young, but he's done a tremendous amount to fill Mike Green's offensive void on the blue line. Carlson has tallied 7 points in the Caps' last three games. … Luke Schenn has been pouring in points from his own blue line lately, tallying 1 goal and 5 assists in his last five games for Toronto.
Injury report: The Leafs are still without Matt Lombardi (dislocated shoulder) and Mike Komisarek (broken arm), who both suffered injuries last month. Toronto may also be without Clarke MacArthur, who is listed as questionable with an upper-body injury. … The Caps have been without Green for nearly a month due to a strained right groin, while Matt Hendricks and Roman Hamrlik are both considered questionable with lower-body injuries.
Stat pack: The Cra'pitals' quick two-game stay at the Verizon Center could give them the right setting to take off. Despite struggling in general this season, Washington is 9-4-1 at home.
Puck drop: Of all the surprises in the NHL so far this season, none is more unexpected than the Cra'pitals trailing the Panthers in the Southeast. That deficit reached as large as seven points this week, which means if the Caps are to take the division it could be a while before they make up the necessary ground. There's no time to waste, though, and Washington would do well to start the comeback Friday.
Go
GO! :foottap:
MAPLE LEAFS (15-10-3) at CRA'PITALS (14-12-1)
TV: SNET-O, CSN-MA
Last 10: Toronto 5-4-1; Washington 4-6-0
Season series: The Maple Leafs lead the season series 1-0 after trouncing Washington 7-1 on Nov. 19 at the Air Canada Centre.
Big story: Are the Caps heating up? The team's transition to success has been slow under new coach Dale Hunter, but an improved offense and one highlight-reel goal in particular may be signs that things will be back to normal soon in Washington. The Cra'pitals will get a big test as they open a quick two-game homestand when the Leafs come to town Friday.
Who's hot: Washington's John Carlson is still young, but he's done a tremendous amount to fill Mike Green's offensive void on the blue line. Carlson has tallied 7 points in the Caps' last three games. … Luke Schenn has been pouring in points from his own blue line lately, tallying 1 goal and 5 assists in his last five games for Toronto.
Injury report: The Leafs are still without Matt Lombardi (dislocated shoulder) and Mike Komisarek (broken arm), who both suffered injuries last month. Toronto may also be without Clarke MacArthur, who is listed as questionable with an upper-body injury. … The Caps have been without Green for nearly a month due to a strained right groin, while Matt Hendricks and Roman Hamrlik are both considered questionable with lower-body injuries.
Stat pack: The Cra'pitals' quick two-game stay at the Verizon Center could give them the right setting to take off. Despite struggling in general this season, Washington is 9-4-1 at home.
Puck drop: Of all the surprises in the NHL so far this season, none is more unexpected than the Cra'pitals trailing the Panthers in the Southeast. That deficit reached as large as seven points this week, which means if the Caps are to take the division it could be a while before they make up the necessary ground. There's no time to waste, though, and Washington would do well to start the comeback Friday.
Go
1goal and 2 assists for Backstrom ..woot !!! And another goal for Kessel 
