Caps @ Leafs 3-6-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (24-42; 60 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 25th Overall) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (31-35; 71 points; 4th Northeast Division, 11th Eastern Conference, 19th Overall):
Caps Game #67, Road Game #32, NHL Game: #994

Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7:35 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTNT 570-AM. Toronto TV: LEAFS TV. Radio: CFMJ 640-AM. NHL Center Ice: LEAFS TV feed.

After losing four in a row at home, tonight the Caps are in Toronto searching for their first back-to-back wins on the road since December when they beat the Thrashers in OT 3-2 on December 15th and the Maple Leafs on December 23rd by the same score in regulation. They're facing a Maple Leafs team that is coming off a 3-1 loss to the Buffaslugs on home ice this past Saturday night and has lost three of its last four games.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Caps.com. Caps.com .pdf game notes.

Open Source Intelligence:

Toronto Globe & Mail. Toronto Star. Toronto Sun: Kubina wants to play, Leafs outside. Maple Leafs.com does not have preview posted yet.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

I think we can officially say that the Caps are looking towards next season now that Mike Green has finally been recalled. The Caps are actually now only two points ahead of Columbus for 25th overall and more losses will move them into a top 5 draft pick soon. The Leafs are tied with the Rangers and both are two points out of 8th place. Should the Leafs win tonight, they will move into a tie for 8th with Carolina while still holding a game in hand on the defending champs. In the two earlier matchups this year, the visiting team has won however much more is on the line tonight than there was in November and December.

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

Caps 3
Leafs 5
Winner by Sundin