Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 Tuesday night at Air Canada Centre. The win raised the Capitals’ record to 53-18-8 (114 points). The Capitals “magic number” is down to one. The Capitals finally head home to host the New York Rangers Wednesday night at Verizon Center. Puck drop is 8:00 p.m. 

Philipp Grubauer got the start in goal for the Capitals. With a back-to-back set tonight and tomorrow, Braden Holtby will get the start against the Rangers at Verizon Center on Wednesday night.

John Carlson was scratched after warm-ups. He is officially listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury. Carlson skated at morning skate. Taylor Chorney and Paul Carey were the healthy scratches for the Capitals.

#Caps lines tonight in Toronto: 8-19-77, 90-92-14, 10-20-65, 26-83-43. Defense: 27-74, 9-2, 44-22. Grubauer vs. McElhinney. #CapsLeafs

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) April 4, 2017

Nate Schmidt replaced John Carlson, and was paired with Karl Alzner. This was his first start after sitting out nine consecutive games.

QUICK HITS:

• The Capitals outshot the Maple Leafs 13-3 for the opening period.
• Kevin Shattenkirk would score his first goal as a Capital on a second period power play.
• Nate Schmidt scored his second goal in as many games played.

FIRST PERIOD:
The Capitals would notch the game’s first tally with a blast from the point by Lars Eller at the 14:34 mark of the opening frame.

John Walton’s call:

Alex Ovechkin was laying the wood in the opening frame, with a number of big hits.

The first period would end with the Caps leading 1-0. The Caps outshot the Maple Leafs 13-3 for the opening stanza.

SECOND PERIOD:
The Capitals would increase their lead to 2-0 with a power play goal by Kevin Shattenkirk at the 10:00 mark of the middle frame.

John Walton’s call:

The period would end with the Capitals leading 2-0. The Capitals outshot the Maple Leafs 13-10 for the second period, and led 26-13 in shots on goal after two periods of play.

THIRD PERIOD:
Nate Schmidt would stretch the Capitals lead to 3-0 with a wicked wrister from the right point at 8:11 of the final frame.

John Walton’s call:

Tom Wilson would make it 4-0 late with a nice dangle at the 16:46 mark of the third period.

John Walton’s call:

The Maple Leafs would add one late from Mitch Marner to make the score 4-1 at the 18:52 mark of the final frame.

The Caps would hold on for the 4-1 win. John Walton with the call:

By Jon Sorensen
Follow @NoVa_Caps

SCENES FROM TORONTO

👇 Hero. #CapsLeafs#RockTheRedpic.twitter.com/wV4PtQYaYj

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2017

Fan for life. #CapsLeafs #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/QMxyjPE68f

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2017

Boards’ eye view. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/70zB5SfzdI

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 5, 2017