Toronto Maple Leafs: Capitals in Town Before Bye Week

Our old 2016-17 post-season foes the Washington Capitals are in town to face our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs haven’t played them since October 13th, a game that they won 4-2. A lot has changed since then, Marner is leading the team in points, Tavares is leading the team in goals, Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri, Kasperi Kapanen, and William Nylander are all on their own little production skids.

As well, Andreas Johnsson and possibly Jake Gardiner missing the game tonight due to injury.

There are several different storylines to watch tonight. Marner and Matthews are set to play on the same line tonight, Trevor Moore is set to play tonight, and it is the last game before the Leafs go on their bye week. A win tonight against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions would go a long way to keep Leafs Nation and the media at bay before this time off.

If we were to lose tonight, we will have to hear Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos and Brian Burke further feed the fire that is false narratives, and many Leafs fans will eat it up without any games to calm them down in the stretch. We Leaf fans really can be our own worst enemy.

Anyways, the Washington Capitals lost to the Sharks last night 7-6 and will be looking to end their 6-game losing streak tonight against a struggling Leafs team. They are going to be tired after a game like that and will likely come out flying in the first. If Freddy can play like Freddy and shut the door in the first, we will win this game.

We are all anxious to see how this game will go with our best goal scorer, and our best playmaker, who also happen to be best friends, playing on one line. One thing is for sure, they would love it to remain this way.

We know they are capable, let’s hope this gets Matthews rolling again. The lines at the morning skate were as follows.

Personally, I hope Babcock switches Moore and Brown. It’s not just that Brown has been ineffective in a top 9 role this season, it’s that he genuinely looks much more effective on the 4th line. Whether that is due to the quality of competition, or the role the 4th line plays, he looks better on that line, and Moore was great in his last stretch.

I think it would be wise to see if he could find chemistry with Kadri. Kadri doesn’t seem to have functioning sparkplugs, perhaps Moore could get him going.

Anyways, let’s hope for a great game tonight, and that the stories and opinions of fans and/or media don’t get too crazy over this next week with no games.