Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Last Game Before the Trade Deadline Against the Washington Capitals

By David Morassutti

facebooktwitterreddit

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Last Game Before the Trade Deadline Against the Washington Capitals

We have all waited patiently and now it is time to drop the puck on a new season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here at the Tip of the Tower we strive to give you as much content on your Toronto sports teams as humanly possible. This series will preview every single Toronto Maple Leafs game and what you should know for the game that night.

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) and Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) battle for position at the Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 6-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (25-32-5) @ Washington Capitals (33-20-10), 7:00 p.m., City Tv

The Leafs are 1-1 against the Capitals losing 6-1 in their last meeting.

More from Tip of the Tower

Leafs Injury Report

Trevor Smith is unlikely to play with a lower-body injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs)

Capitals Injury Report

Dmitry Orlov is out with a wrist injury.

John Erskine is out with a neck injury.

Game Preview

Feb 28, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov (47) screens Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and teammate Sergei Gonchar (55) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The last time the Leafs played the Capitals, it was the debut of Peter Horachek as head coach. The Leafs lost 6-2 and it has not been smooth sailing since then. It is the final game before the trade deadline, which has been a busy time for the Leafs with rental players and David Clarkson being shipped out in the anticipation that more deals will be made in the summer. Last night the Leafs faced a tough goaltender in Carey Price, who stood on his head until the Montreal Canadiens were able to take advantage of costly errors by the Leafs.

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Trevor Smith (23) scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) as defenseman Jack Hillen (38) looks on during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Capitals will try to avoid losing four straight games after being shutout 3-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes. They hold a nine point advantage over the Florida Panthers for the final playoff spot, but if they do not find a way to play more consistently it could means they have a tougher matchup in the first round of the playoffs. If the season ended today they would have to go up against the New York Islanders, which is not a favourable series for them.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nov 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) goes after the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Capitals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs WAS: 29  GP – 6 goals – 14 assist – 20 PTS

Tyler Bozak career vs WAS: 16 GP- 4 goals- 4 assists- 8 PTS

James van Riemsdyk career vs WAS: 17  GP – 5 goals – 7 assists – 12 PTS

James Reimer career vs PIT: 6 GP – Record: 2-3 – 2.62 GAA – .922 SV%

Jonathan Bernier career vs PIT: 5 GP – Record: 3-2  2.62 GAA – .909 SV%

Washington Capitals

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) carries the puck past Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (left) and forward Tyler Bozak (right) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin career vs TOR: 35 GP- 28 goals- 22 assists- 49 PTS

Nicklas Backstrom career vs TOR: 26 GP- 4 goals- 19 assists- 23 PTS

Joel Ward career vs TOR: 15 GP- 3 goals- 4 assists- 7 PTS

Brooks Laich career vs TOR: 32 GP- 10 goals- 9 assists- 19 PTS

John Carlson career vs TOR: 18 GP- 0 goals- 10 assists- 10 PTS

Brayden Holtby career vs TOR: 5 GP- Record: 3-1-1, 1.81 GAA- .942 SV%

Juston Peters career vs TOR: 3 GP- Record: 1-1,  3.01 GAA- .897 SV%

Keys to Victory

Jan 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Stephane Robidas (12) up ends Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich (21) as Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf (3) looks on during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs will need to find a way to stay out of the penalty box against the Capitals third ranked power play which is firing at 23.3%. On the other hand the Capitals are ranked 17th on the penalty kill, so the Leafs should try to force the Capitals hands to take some penalties.

The Leafs had too many passes intercepted by the Canadiens, because they tried to pass it east-west instead of going north-south. The Capitals are a dangerous  offensive team, so it would not be wise to force the puck and give it away easily.

Nov 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Too many times last night the Leafs had chances to get a good shot on net, but elected to pass the puck away. If they elected to shoot instead of passing, they could have had a better chance for a more positive outcome against the Canadiens. Holtby has played pretty well this season, so if the Leafs get a clear chance they have to take it.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs