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LGD: Slump Busters
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY Sports
By ThatsKappy
Jan 23, 2019, 13:46 EST
It’s Game Day!
The Leafs are mired in a slump that’s seen them lose 7 of their last 10. In search of a turn-it-around win, they’ll welcome to Washington Capitals to town.
The Caps are reeling as well, coming off of a 7-6 overtime loss and dealing with a 3-4-3 stretch of their own. Something’s gotta give tonight.
Leafs Lines
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 ZACH HYMAN Rating: 72.4#66 LW |  JOHN TAVARES Rating: 82.0#11 C |  KASPERI KAPANEN Rating: 74.4#39 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 76.27#21 FL1 |
 PATRICK MARLEAU Rating: 72.9#60 LW |  AUSTON MATTHEWS Rating: 83.8#7 C |  MITCH MARNER Rating: 79.8#18 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 78.84#3 FL2 |
 CONNOR BROWN Rating: 70.0#103 LW |  NAZEM KADRI Rating: 77.3#37 C |  WILLIAM NYLANDER Rating: 73.7#49 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 73.69#3 FL3 |
 PAR LINDHOLM Rating: 70.4#101 LW |  FREDERIK GAUTHIER Rating: 67.6#193 C |  TREVOR MOORE Rating: 74.1#44 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 70.71#14 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 MORGAN RIELLY Rating: 79.8#5 LD |  RON HAINSEY Rating: 73.0#43 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 76.40#11 DL1 |
 JAKE GARDINER Rating: 76.9#10 LD |  NIKITA ZAITSEV Rating: 71.0#79 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 73.97#12 DL2 |
 TRAVIS DERMOTT Rating: 73.4#45 LD |  IGOR OZHIGANOV Rating: 72.1#57 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 72.76#8 DL3 |
The new look Leafs lines take to the ice tonight. Auston Matthews is paired with Mitchell Marner, and John Tavares is with Kasperi Kapanen.
William Nylander remains on the third line, begrudgingly. Andreas Johnsson is out with a concussion, and Tyler Ennis remains sidelined with a broken ankle.
Jake Gardiner is back on the blueline after missing one game with back spasms.
Also, Trevor Moore is back!
Capitals Lines
| LW | C | RW | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
 ALEX OVECHKIN Rating: 85.1#2 LW |  NICKLAS BACKSTROM Rating: 77.7#34 C |  T.J. OSHIE Rating: 77.3#20 RW | FL1 Rating Rating: 80.04#7 FL1 |
 JAKUB VRANA Rating: 73.0#78 LW |  EVGENY KUZNETSOV Rating: 77.9#33 C |  TOM WILSON Rating: 75.0#35 RW | FL2 Rating Rating: 75.28#14 FL2 |
 DMITRIJ JASKIN Rating: 70.3#102 LW |  LARS ELLER Rating: 72.0#103 C |  BRETT CONNOLLY Rating: 71.9#76 RW | FL3 Rating Rating: 71.39#21 FL3 |
 CHANDLER STEPHENSON Rating: 69.1#183 LW |  TRAVIS BOYD Rating: 71.3#129 C |  ANDRE BURAKOVSKY Rating: 70.4#98 RW | FL4 Rating Rating: 70.25#19 FL4 |
| DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
 DMITRI ORLOV Rating: 73.2#47 LD |  JOHN CARLSON Rating: 80.3#7 RD | DL1 Rating Rating: 76.72#9 DL1 |
 MICHAL KEMPNY Rating: 73.5#41 LD |  MATT NISKANEN Rating: 73.4#39 RD | DL2 Rating Rating: 73.45#16 DL2 |
 BROOKS ORPIK Rating: 69.3#123 LD |  JONAS SIEGENTHALER Rating: 72.1#58 RD | DL3 Rating Rating: 70.69#24 DL3 |
Ovi is in for the Caps, which means the Leafs were not lucky enough to draw the game where Ovi sits as punishment for missing the All Star Game.
Christian Djoos is the Capitals’ only injury.
Starting Goalies
Frederik Andersen and Phoenix Copley are your projected starters. Copley has been less than optimal for the Caps this season, with a .903 save percentage and a dreadful three-game stretch in which his best save percentage was an .892.
Andersen, meanwhile, hasn’t been as stellar as usual either, but comes into this game with a .922 in the midst of a season where he hasn’t faltered much, all things considered.
Puck Drop is at 7:30pm on Sportsnet.
Breaking News
- Gavin McKenna might be a Mitch Marner replacement but not in year one
- Maple Leafs’ activity on Day 1 of free agency indicates heavy investment into next two years
- Ryan Tverberg reportedly signs 1-year, $850K extension with Maple Leafs
- Leafs development camp scrimmage notebook: McKenna’s playmaking, Koblar shines, Nansi wins superlatives, quick hits
- Gavin McKenna confirms he’ll wear No. 92 for Maple Leafs