PRE GAME;
The Leafs continue honoring alumni from different points in Toronto history. Tonight's former players included Ian Turnbull, Bob Baun, and Wally Stanowski. You have to wonder if part of the reason, if not all of the reason, the Leafs have paraded out so many former players this season, some of whom have been previously honored in these pre game ceremonies, is to distract their fans from their current team’s dreadful start, and the organization’s decades long drought of non championship hockey.
1ST PERIOD NOTES;
Not a whole lot of action in either end in the first five minutes. The Capitals get penalized for interference as Tyler Sloan gets called at 5;48. Toronto has a close in chance but Alexei Ponikarovsky can’t finish the opportunity in front of the net, as Mike Green makes a good play for the Caps tying up the Leafs players stick with the puck going through the crease. Semyon Varlamov makes some good saves towards the end of the power play. Jamal Mayers gets penalized for a high stick, on a dumb retaliation by Mayers on Alex Ovechkin at 9;34. Washington didn’t generate much offense with their power play. Jason Blake gets penalized for running into Varlamov at 12;53. Brooks Laich gets a close in chance around the Toronto net. Vesa Toskala makes a lucky glove save. The Caps miss a wide open net on the power play. Vesa Toskala makes a good save on Eric Fehr. Niklas Hagman has a good chance near the Capitals net. Ovechkin scores easily on a rush towards the Toronto net after a turnover by Ian White at the blue line at 17;11.
2ND PERIOD NOTES;
Francois Beauchemin makes a bad play to allow Ovechkin to get away on a two on one break at the start of the period. There are several odd man rushes early in the second period for both teams. Toskala makes a decent save as Brooks Laich fans on a shot close in to the net. The Capitals, who are not a good defensive team, allow the Leafs some chances in the Washington zone. Varlamov has made good saves when shots have come his way, and doesn’t allow big rebounds to get out. The Capitals get stuck in their own zone for about 2 minutes and then the same thing happens on the next shift as Washington appears to be going through the motions and not putting any effort into their game. Toronto is outshooting Washington 13-5 just past the halfway mark of the period. Bruce Boudreau appears to be giving his team a tongue lashing during a timeout. Luke Schenn gets penalized for holding at 12;31. Toskala stops Laich right in front of the net. The Capitals are missing 7 players due to injury, which could explain their lack of tenacity in the second period. Toronto scores on a 4 on 2 rush, as the puck bounces off a players arm into the net. Niklas Hagman gets credit for the goal at 16;49 to tie the score at 1. Toronto outshot Washington 17-10 in this period.
3RD PERIOD NOTES;
Ovechkin looks lethargic in this game in spite of his goal. The Capitals are simply not working in this game, and are being outplayed and outhustled by the Leafs. Toronto gets penalized, as Niklas Hagman gets called for hooking at 4;34. Ovechkin has a good chance in front of the net on the power play, but Toskala makes the save. The Capitals had some other good chances but couldn’t finish their opportunities. Brendan Morrison gets called for tripping at 7;19. John Erskine makes a good defensive play on Phil Kessel. Eric Fehr hits the post on a long wrist shot just inside the blue line with a little more than 2 minutes remaining.Brian Pothier also hit the post. Ovechkin had a dangerous chance after stealing the puck from Matt Stajan.
OVERTIME AND SHOOTOUT;
The ice is messed up by a malfunctioning Zamboni, prior to the shootout. Kessel scores on the shootout and Hagman scores as well to clinch the win. Ovechkin could not score on Toskala.
GAME SUMMARY;
The Maple Leafs were finally able to take advantage of an opponent that played the night before and was both, playing poorly, and missing a staggering seven players who were out with injuries. On the sidelines for the Caps, were Milan Jurcina,Mike Knuble,Boyd Gordon, Alexander Semin, Quintin Laing,Shaone Morrisonn, and Tom Poti. The Leafs did give a complete effort in this game ,however with Carolina winning as well, Toronto remains in last place in the National Hockey League.