GDT: Maple Leafs (15-8-1) vs Capitals (13-10-1) | 7:00 PM EST | Hockey Night In Canada!

[IPS]

Matthews is overdue for a hat trick.

He will score 3 tonight including the game winner. Leafs win 4-3 in OT.

I'd love to think this but I can't bring myself to. I thin Matthews struggles for a few more game and then goes on a huge tear.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[DarkKnight]

I'd love to think this but I can't bring myself to. I thin Matthews struggles for a few more game and then goes on a huge tear.

I say big night for Matthews.

 

[Hurt]

Can the guys get their heads out of their asses? That would be great.

 

[MJ65]

Even though the Caps "D" is not as deep as Canes but we need to play better regardless of any opponent, they need to better in all zone offense / defense / neutral zone. We can't keep on showing up for only 20 - 30 minutes and expect to win most games and that has to change no matter what. Making the playoffs shouldn't be our goal. We need to compete every night, no matter you win or lose, honestly speaking if you play better consistently in your own zone you win most of the nights. I hope they can fix there defensive deficiencies sooner then later or else this could be a long season if this trend continue for long. Winning more games in the earlier part of the season is vital for the success of any team

 

[jrgtml67]

Well they were out the two games before. My fear with the FLA game happened. They played maybe the best game of the year for 60minutes and didnt get rewarded on the scoresheet, or in the standings. Lu stood on his damn head, or that game is a route 6+ goals no question. Hopefully we can pull an EDM. Only EDM lost huge, and the next night won 6-1 with one of their best games of the year. So in respect to effort in the game, I hope that is what happens.

 

[PuckMagi]

Hyman Matthews Marner
JVR Bozak Nylander
Marleau Kadri Komarov
Martin Moore Brown

Rielly Hainsey
Gardiner Zaitsev
Borgman Polak

McBackup in goal

A few small changes makes this a lot better:

Marleau Matthews Marner
JVR Bozak Nylander
Hyman Kadri Brown
Martin Moore Komarov

Rielly Hainsey
Gardiner Dermott
Borgman Zaitsev

(then bring in Leivo for Martin)

PK 1: Moore Komarov, PK 2: Hyman Brown

 

[Kiwi]

Can the guys get their heads out of their asses? That would be great.

We seem to be either playing to the other teams level or not really giving a **** early and pouring it on late playing catch up

It's concerning but the Florida game gave me some hope there starting to work it out a bit

 

[Al14]

Lol....20 games of fans screaming for them to be together....2 games and it's split them up??

Exactly, hilarious stuff!

 

[hockeykicker]

Caps lines

Ovechkin -Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana -Kuznetsov-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-DSP
Stephenson-Beagle-Chiasson

Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Carlson
Chorney-Bowey

Holtby
Grubauer

Injured: burakovsky, djoos
Scratched: ness, walker, Graovac

 

[Budsfan]

CBC Sports - Broadcast Schedule

 

[AppsSyl]

I say big night for Matthews.

Agreed, and Marner too.

 

[Welsh Maple Leaf]

Is Holtby playing back to back?

 

[egd27]

Too many cry babies around here.

Saturday night in Canada just enjoy the game brothers.

GLG!

No kidding, this board is becoming almost a joke thanks to handful of posters who do nothing but complain.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Is Holtby playing back to back?

It was Grubauer in net last night.

 

[Welsh Maple Leaf]

It was Grubauer in net last night.

Thanks man

Enjoy the game

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Agreed--for the most part. I offered JVR (with him signing), and Gardiner plus a pick or prospect for a top 4 and apparently that is still garbage LOL. People forget we got Kap for Kessel, and Kap is way better now than he ever was with Pitts. It just we are so deep on the wing he isnt up. Actually really he is not up because of Sosh's contract quirk

FUN FACT; Did Babcock tip the leafs hand last night? He said "we didnt call up Sosh to watch him for 2 games." So he either means a deal is coming where he plays more often, or Sosh himself is going to be dealt soon.

Didn’t we have to call Sosh up or he could leave?

 

[MJ65]

I hope Kadri's line is sharp night and can outplay Ovi and co, even they are even in offense then other line should outplay the other line. Keeping ovi and co. is important to win this one

 

[Fenway]

HF Sportsbook odds for game

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/sportsbook/washington-capitals-toronto-maple-leafs.2425/

 

[jrgtml67]

Kadri seems to pick it up a notch when he has to play against a star. Going back to last year he did a huge job on Mcdavid. In october when Ovi was at his hottest, he did a great job and the Caps got shutout. Hoping he does it again.

 

[Cor]

Too many cry babies around here.

Saturday night in Canada just enjoy the game brothers.

GLG!

Enjoying a Leafs game?

That’s unpossible!

 

[Cor]

Agreed--for the most part. I offered JVR (with him signing), and Gardiner plus a pick or prospect for a top 4 and apparently that is still garbage LOL. People forget we got Kap for Kessel, and Kap is way better now than he ever was with Pitts. It just we are so deep on the wing he isnt up. Actually really he is not up because of Sosh's contract quirk

FUN FACT; Did Babcock tip the leafs hand last night? He said "we didnt call up Sosh to watch him for 2 games." So he either means a deal is coming where he plays more often, or Sosh himself is going to be dealt soon.

Fun Fact! That Babcock quote was answering a question about Soshnikov’s struggles. He means, that they aren’t judging him off his first 2 or 3 games.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

No kidding, this board is becoming almost a joke thanks to handful of posters who do nothing but complain.

I’ve never seen so much misery with being second in the Eastern Conference.

It’s not even like we’re riding hot shooting percentages, Marner and Nylander should be scoring more. Bozak isn’t chipping in nearly enough offense, our power play has stalled a little bit we’re still second.

What happens when all those pieces fall into place?

 

[CanadasTeam]

I must've missed it. I saw Caps lineup but didn't see Leafs projected lines.

My guess after last night's fiasco will be:

Hyman - Matthews - Nylander
JVR - Bozak - Marner
Komarov - Kadri - Marleau
Martin - Moore - Brown

Rielly - Hainsey
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Borgman - Polak

McElhinney

 

[Nalens Oga]

I'm guessing he just decided to put all three of those guys in because the Caps are a physical team and that Polak/Martin had experience against them last playoffs. Of course it's a pathetic strategy, the Leafs are at their best when they're playing a fast game, not trying to play more physical to match the other team especially when they have the ability to outskate a team like the Caps.