Media

TV: CBC, CSN-DC, NHL Network
Radio: TSN 1050 Toronto, 106.7 The Fan & AM1500 in Washington
SBN: Japers' Rink

Know Your Opponent

Founded 1974
Stanley Cups: Zero, One finals appearance in 1998 - swept in 4 games by Detroit
Presidents Trophies: One, 2010
Current Record: 10-8-4 - 63GF 59GA
Leading Scorers: Nicklas Backstrom 5G, 17A - AlexOvechkin 12G, 9A - Marcus Johansson, 9G, 7A

The Washington Capitals come to town winning three of their past 5 games, though one of those games was a loss to Buffalo, and the other loss was in OT against the Islanders. They scored 13 goals in those 5 games, and allowed 9. Their possession metrics have been slipping [chart warning], so let's hope that continues rather than improves. According to my gut we'll see another close game from the Caps, and this will be their third extra time game in the past 6.

Know Your Team

Founded 1917
Stanley Cups: Thirteen, second most in the NHL, but no one ever mentions THAT number
Presidents Trophies: None, because it's a stupid trophy only losers get excited about
Current Record: 11-8-3 - 70GF 67GA
Leading Scorers: Phil Kessel 11G, 12A - Tyler Bozak 9G, 11A - James Van Reimsdyk 9G, 8A

The Toronto Maple Leafs come to this game with a very light schedule for the week. The Caps played on Friday, so hopefully Toronto has the fresher legs and they didn't sit around all week playing Call of Duty or sharing truly awful pasta dishes with friends. Toronto has only played 5 games since the 15th of November, including two truly horrible losses, and then 3 respectable games where they took 5 of 6 points. Fucking Leafs, make up your damn minds. I say this goes to extra time, and the Leafs come out with another point.

[This is where I'd insert lines from the morning skate but I ended up taking my kids to the Hockey Hall of Fame this morning and didn't get back until someone published the preview. So uh, google it?]

It's a Saturday Night game I'll be able to watch start to finish (only plus to 11PM rec league games), so I'm hoping for a real barn burner. Especially if the Capitals start destroying the Leafs. Burn down the barn you stupid fans.