Leafs Steamroll Flat Caps 4-2

Photo: Toronto Sun

The Washington Capitals fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The loss dropped the Capitals record to (13-6-2). The Capitals now have four days off before hosting the New York Islanders on Thursday night at Verizon Center. Puck drop is 7:00PM.

Braden Holtby got the start in goal for the Capitals. Frederik Andersen got the start for the Maple Leafs.

T.J. Oshie missed his fourth straight game since sustaining an injury on November 18th against the Detroit Red Wings.

Taylor Chorney and Paul Carey, who was called up from Hershey on Friday, were the healthy scratches.

This was the Capitals fourth back-to-back set of the season.

QUICK NOTES

The Capitals were severely outplayed in the first period, but only gave up one goal.
The Leafs had three power plays in the opening frame, but the Caps penalty kill would successfully kill-off all three man advantages.
John Carlson continues to look sluggish, and at times, completely out of sorts. Carlson was involved in both of the Leafs first two goals.
The Capitals power play struggled for all man-advantages.

FIRST PERIOD
The Maple Leafs wasted no time in grabbing an early lead when Matt Martin slipped behind John Carlson and scored on a break-away at the 2:35 mark of the opening frame.

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The Leafs continued to keep the pressure on the Capitals, leading 9-1 in shots on goal through the first nine minutes of play. The Capitals were called for three penalties within the first 14 minutes, but the Caps penalty kill would snuff all three of the Leafs man advantages.

The Leafs would dominate the entire period, knocked two other shots off a post, but still only managed one goal for the period. The Leafs led in shots on goal 15-6 for the period, and 25-10 for total shots for the period.

SECOND PERIOD
The Maple Leafs would go on their fourth power play of the game, just 2:49 into the middle frame, and it would finally cost the Caps. James van Riemsdyk would dent the twine at 3:28 of the second period.

James van Riemsdyk made it 2-0 Leafs against Washington. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/HDekCr2cNn

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 27, 2016

The Capitals would be awarded their first power play of the game at 7:33 of the second period. The Leafs would have an additional penalty called on them during the initial man-advantage, but the Caps could not capitalize on either of the 5-on-3 or 5-on-4 man advantages.

The Capitals would return to the power play with 6:08 left in the middle frame, but their third man-advantage would also come up empty. The second period would end with the Leafs leading 2-0. The Capitals outshot the Leafs 14-11 for the period. The Leafs led 26-20 for the first two periods.

THIRD PERIOD
The Leafs would strike quick in the third period as well. Auston Matthews would notch a tally just 22 seconds into the final frame.

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The Capitals would finally get on the board at 9:30 of the final frame. Nicklas Backstrom would punch-in a dirty goal from the crease to make it 3-1.

Nicklas Backstrom temporarily puts a dent in Toronto’s lead. #CapsLeafs on @CSNMA plus. #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/q9S6AKUbJ2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 27, 2016

However, the Leafs would regain the three goal lead at the 11:50 mark on a goal by Nazem Kadri.

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Marcus Johansson would add a second goal for the Capitals at the 16:44 mark of the final frame to close the gap to 4-2. But that would be it, as the Caps fall 4-2.

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