LGD: Leafs Storm the Capital
5 years ago
Much like the War of 1812, the Leafs are hot and ready in Washington, D.C. Ready to set ablaze their house, the Leafs look to continue their winning ways against the Capitals tonight. It will be the Battle of (skate) BLADEnsburg.
Against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Leafs will face their first team that appeared in the playoffs last season. They have had relatively easier competition than the rest of the league, but they have shown their offensive prowess throughout the last week.
With a win tonight, you can now say “they were 4-1”.
Leafs Lines
| LW | C | RW |
 PATRICK MARLEAU |  AUSTON MATTHEWS |  KASPERI KAPANEN |
 ZACH HYMAN |  JOHN TAVARES |  MITCH MARNER |
 PAR LINDHOLM |  NAZEM KADRI |  CONNOR BROWN |
 JOSH LEIVO |  FREDERIK GAUTHIER |  ANDREAS JOHNSSON |
| LD | RD |
 MORGAN RIELLY |  RON HAINSEY |
 JAKE GARDINER |  NIKITA ZAITSEV |
 TRAVIS DERMOTT |  IGOR OZHIGANOV |
The Leafs are doing a good job rotating through the roster and giving each of their players some actual ice-time this year. No more Josh Leivo or Frank Corrado rotting in the press box, everyone is getting their chance to earn a job.
Upfront, Andreas Johnsson makes his return to the lineup and Tyler Ennis has his first healthy scratch of the season. With Frederik Gauthier being not a complete tirefire against the Red Wings, he has earned his stay for at least this game. Kasperi Kapanen remains his speedy self on the wing of the Best Player on the Planet.
On the blueline, Igor Ozhiganov makes his return and Martin Marincin has to make way. There is really nothing of note about this move unless you feel very passionate about either player.
Capitals Lines
| LW | C | RW |
 ALEX OVECHKIN |  EVGENY KUZNETSOV |  CHANDLER STEPHENSON |
 JAKUB VRANA |  NICKLAS BACKSTROM |  T.J. OSHIE |
 ANDRE BURAKOVSKY |  LARS ELLER |  BRETT CONNOLLY |
 DMITRIJ JASKIN |  NIC DOWD |  DEVANTE SMITH-PELLY |
| LD | RD |
 MICHAL KEMPNY |  JOHN CARLSON |
 DMITRI ORLOV |  MATT NISKANEN |
 BROOKS ORPIK |  CHRISTIAN DJOOS |
The Capitals are sporting some pretty deep forward lines – some of the best players in the entire sport are within these lines. But the Leafs are still pretty good. The usual names are prominent; Ovi, Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Oshie, etc. etc. You know what is coming from these players.
On the blueline, the Caps are fairly deep. Kempny was an underrated deadline pickup last year and Christian Djoos is a soon-to-be analytic darling for everyone to scream at their team to trade a 3rd-round pick for. They still have Brooks Orpik, so that instantly makes their blueline absolutely horrible.
Starting Goaltenders
Frederik Andersen – The best Danish goalie to ever live, Andersen comes into this game after a strong performance against the Red Wings. He still has a sub-.900 save percentage, but that might change after tonight’s game.
Braden Holtby – He’s good and a good-hearted goaltender that likes to play guitar.
Puck drop is at 7:00pm EST on NHL Network and CBC/Sportsnet as Hockey Night in Canada.
Recent articles from Thomas Williams
