LGD: Welcome To Hell

Tonight, a bottom feeder team that is attempting to be good, despite a roster that is intentionally bad, will take on an opponent with one of the best records in NHL history. Yes, it’s time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to take on the Washington Capitals, in what’s sure to be an entertaining game.

Toronto Maple Leafs lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff

There doesn’t seem to be too many changes for the Leafs compared to the prior night, and after seeing how they fared against the Lightning, its hard to blame Mike Babcock for that being the case. Brooks Laich and Connor Carrick both get to face their former team for the first time. Carrick has fewer than 40 NHL games played with the Caps so it’s not as big of a deal for him but gave them over a decade of commendable service. Needless to say, things might get a little emotional at the phone booth tonight.

Washington Capitals lines courtesy of Daily Faceoff

The Caps are unfairly good. Pretty much every line they have is capable of scoring on you early and often, and most of their defencemen are responsible enough to shut you down if need be. Add Braden Holtby in the mix and it’s no wonder that they’re on pace to break NHL records.

Tonight, the Capitals are banking on an easy win and starting Philipp Grubauer in net. What’s interesting is that the 24-year-old German isn’t much of a downgrade on Braden Holtby; his record might be a “mere” 6-5-1 on the year, but he has a 0.926 in his starts and relief efforts.

In net for the Leafs tonight is their starter with backup stats, Jonathan Bernier. While he’s better than the utterly dreadful he was to start the year, his 0.898 save percentage still resembles the numbers of a goaltender playing before teammate Garret Sparks was born. Bernier is 7-16-2 this year with two shutouts in 28 games played.

Puck drop is at 7:00 PM.