GDT: Maple Leafs @ Capitals | 7 PM - SN | This.... May not end well

[rdogg]

Hopefully the kids light it up tomorrow, and then promptly lose in regulation

 

[MJ65]

Oh we are going to lose this game but win or lose let the kids play

 

[Le Cobra]

6-3 Capitals
Nylander

Bernier gets yanked, Sparks goes in

 

[crump]

From practice lines today...

Nikita Soshnikov is expected to stay with Kadri and Komarov, while the kid line of William Nylander between Kasperi Kapanen and Zach Hyman will remain intact.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/01/emotions-heavy-as-new-leaf-laich-set-to-face-old-team-caps

 

[Pucker77]

From practice lines today...

Nikita Soshnikov is expected to stay with Kadri and Komarov, while the kid line of William Nylander between Kasperi Kapanen and Zach Hyman will remain intact.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/01/emotions-heavy-as-new-leaf-laich-set-to-face-old-team-caps

So essentially the lines from the 3rd period all remain intact.

Komarov-Kadri-Soshnikov
Kapanen-Nylander-Hyman
Holland-Bozak-Michalek
Grabner/Greening-Laich-Smith/Grabner

Would be my guess.

 

[MJ65]

This is going to be a long night for the Leafs and the kids, oh well that's how they are going to learn

 

[Cor]

OP updated.

 

[MikeBabchuk]

I have a feeling Bernier's gonna look good the last bit of the season here.

Balls in his court now. The last of last chances...

I have a feeling he'll look much like he has since January of 2014.

Here's hoping he gets blown out.

Although the Caps will be coming off the first leg of a back to back against the Penguins, so maybe they'll be tired. Who knows.

I'm still gonna say 8-1 Caps.

 

[Advanced stats]

5-4 loss. Nylander line with 2 goals, bernier gets pulled.

 

[Le Cobra]

Didn't want to make a new thread for this;

Who do you project as the three stars of the game?

My picks:
1- Holtby 31/33 saves
2-Ovechkin 2G, 1A
3-Kapanen 1G, 1A

 

[moon111]

So essentially the lines from the 3rd period all remain intact.

Komarov-Kadri-Soshnikov
Kapanen-Nylander-Hyman
Holland-Bozak-Michalek
Grabner/Greening-Laich-Smith/Grabner

Would be my guess.

Grabner skates so fast he might play both wings.

 

[Leafsman]

We are off the Board.

Oh wait! No chance! Sorry - No Chance

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Whichever way it goes, this game should be a fun one. From the kid's line to Kadri getting a winger that can pass and score, and Holland finally getting access to some skill in Bozak ( or even Michalek).

 

[rosscow]

This might be the best lineup the leafs have had all season. The skill up front is crazy. Half the team next year will be going for rookie of the year.

 

[The Examiner]

Didn't want to make a new thread for this;

Who do you project as the three stars of the game?

My picks:
1- Holtby 31/33 saves
2-Ovechkin 2G, 1A
3-Kapanen 1G, 1A

Holtby played last night so I don't expect him to start tonight. It will most likely be Grubauer starting, whose numbers are better than Holtby's (only 10 GP).

 

[Budsfan]

Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals: Wednesday game
preview
Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom has eight 40-assist seasons.

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Tue Mar 01 2016

VERIZON CENTRE

Puck drop: 7 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: TSN Radio 1050

Key matchup: Matt Hunwick vs. Alex Ovechkin. Someone has to draw the near-impossible task of trying to stop the game’s most dangerous shooter. Given the greenhorns on the Leafs’ blue line, that will be the veteran Hunwick. Ovechkin has eclipsed 40 goals for the eighth time in his career and the third season in a row.

Need to know: The game will pit Brooks Laich against Daniel Winnik, traded for each other on Sunday. Laich had been with the Capitals since February, 2004 . . . The Capitals hosted the Penguins on Tuesday night, a game postponed from Jan. 24 . . . Going into Tuesday’s game, Washington was 18-2-1 in its last 21 games at the Verizon Centre, outscoring opponents 77-46 during that span . . . Since entering the NHL in 2007-08, Nicklas Backstrom has had eight 40-assist seasons.

Up next: Thursday, vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

 

[Le Cobra]

This might be the best lineup the leafs have had all season. The skill up front is crazy. Half the team next year will be going for rookie of the year.

QFT especially if Marner makes the team. And even more so if we get that Matthew feller

 

[TheGroceryStick]

We need to expect a steady dose of backup goalies from here on out.

 

[SprDaVE]

From practice lines today...

Nikita Soshnikov is expected to stay with Kadri and Komarov, while the kid line of William Nylander between Kasperi Kapanen and Zach Hyman will remain intact.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/01/emotions-heavy-as-new-leaf-laich-set-to-face-old-team-caps

Thank ****ing god. If I saw Grabner with either one of those lines, I would have tossed Babcock some harsh words.

I wish they would send down Greening and call up Leivo or Leipsic. Probably too much to ask I guess.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Has anyone read Brooks Laich's story on Nylander?

Apparently in Washington during practice Brooks would PK against Backstrom and call him a cute Swede and be a menace. He tried the gig against Willie and Nylander sniped it bar down on the first drill.

 

[Loosie]

Laich playing against Washington for the first time in his career.

 

[Atomos2]

James Mirtle @mirtle
Bernier will start for Leafs in Washington.

Yeah...this definitely won't end well.

 

[AngryScotsman]

Thank ****ing god. If I saw Grabner with either one of those lines, I would have tossed Babcock some harsh words.

I wish they would send down Greening and call up Leivo or Leipsic. Probably too much to ask I guess.

Lou mentioned Greening either is not eligible or will not be made available to the Marlies for their playoff run. So don't expect Greening to be sent down before the end of the season.

 

[Lion15]

Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals: Wednesday game
preview
Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom has eight 40-assist seasons.

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Tue Mar 01 2016

VERIZON CENTRE

Puck drop: 7 p.m.

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: TSN Radio 1050

Key matchup: Matt Hunwick vs. Alex Ovechkin. Someone has to draw the near-impossible task of trying to stop the game’s most dangerous shooter. Given the greenhorns on the Leafs’ blue line, that will be the veteran Hunwick. Ovechkin has eclipsed 40 goals for the eighth time in his career and the third season in a row.

Need to know: The game will pit Brooks Laich against Daniel Winnik, traded for each other on Sunday. Laich had been with the Capitals since February, 2004 . . . The Capitals hosted the Penguins on Tuesday night, a game postponed from Jan. 24 . . . Going into Tuesday’s game, Washington was 18-2-1 in its last 21 games at the Verizon Centre, outscoring opponents 77-46 during that span . . . Since entering the NHL in 2007-08, Nicklas Backstrom has had eight 40-assist seasons.

Up next: Thursday, vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Really? I would think Babs would put that assignment squarely on Morgans lap. I guess we'll see soon enough.

 

[SprDaVE]

Lou mentioned Greening either is not eligible or will not be made available to the Marlies for their playoff run. So don't expect Greening to be sent down before the end of the season.

I know he's not eligible... and that's OK. I'd rather give Leivo or Leipsic NHL games to finish the year.

I cringe everytime I see Greening on a NHL power play. What a waste.