Music: {allcanada} CAPITALS (10-8-4) AT MAPLE LEAFS (11-8-3)

Friday, November 28, 2014

{allcanada} CAPITALS (10-8-4) AT MAPLE LEAFS (11-8-3)

The Original Christmas Classics / Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

Saturday, November 29, 2014

7:00 PM ET

CAPITALS (10-8-4) AT MAPLE LEAFS (11-8-3)

TV: NHLN-US, CBC, CSN-DC

Season series: The Washington Capitals won two of three against the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, with the home team victorious in each game. Capitals forwards Alex Ovechkin, Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer each had two goals in the series.

Capitals team scope: Scoring at even strength had been an issue of late for Washington, but the Capitals scored four 5-on-5 goals in a 5-2 victory against the New York Islanders on Friday. "It's always good to get that feeling and just get something going and get some confidence," forward Marcus Johansson said. "I think this whole game was a good confidence boost for us. Like we played in the last period, and we scored goals - five goals - should be enough to win a lot of games." Forward Brooks Laich returned from a back injury and led the Capitals with four shots. Ovechkin tied Peter Bondra for first all-time on the franchise list with the 73rd game-winning goal of his career. The Capitals are 9-1-1 this season when they score the first goal.

Maple Leafs team scope: This is the start of a five-game homestand for Toronto, which has won two straight at Air Canada Centre and is 7-6-0 at home. "We're excited," forward Joffrey Lupul said. "We feel like this is obviously a different situation than we were in last time we had a string of home games. We have some momentum going and now it's key to not be tentative or anything, or overly excited, and just play well at home consistently." Lupul skated nearly 12 minutes and had one shot in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday; it was his first game since Oct. 28 after sustaining a broken hand. Forward Brandon Kozun, who had one assist in five games before sustaining a high ankle sprain on Oct. 17 game, was loaned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint.

Team Stats