Caps vs. Leafs 11-24-2006 Preview

Washington Capitals (8-13; 22 points) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (12-11; 28 points):
Caps Game #22, Home Game #11, NHL Game #327

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTNT 570-AM. Toronto TV: Leafs TV. Radio: CFMJ 640-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

Losers of four games in a row, the Caps take to the ice on Black Friday to host the Toronto Maple Leafs who have lost three of their last four games. Toronto is coming off a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times (notes that Eric Fehr has been recalled). Caps.com. Caps.com pdf game notes.

Open Source Intelligence:

Toronto Globe and Mail. Toronto Star. The Toronto Sun hasn't updated yet and should I figure out Leafs.com I'll post a preview from there too. But this may not be updated before the game.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Without the services of Donald Brashear and Brian Sutherby because of Wednesday night's brouhaha the Caps could be in for another rough outing tonight, and I don't mean on the scoreboard because the Leafs have not been known for gentlemanly play over the past few years. The Caps took two of three from Toronto last year including both games at the Phone Booth as the Leafs missed the playoffs last year. The Leafs have since retooled and are currently trying to hold off Montreal in the Northeast Division. The Caps have played two games in a row now where liberties were taken against them. I have no doubt that Toronto is going to try the same thing. The Caps will need to maintain their gang mentality tonight and stick together.

Caps Nut Official Washington Hockey.com Predict The Score Contest Entry:

Caps 3
Leafs 2
Winner by Zubrus