> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Leafs never had the lead in a loss to the Capitals - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/leafs-capitals-loss/ - Published: 2024-12-29T02:38:44.000Z - Updated: 2024-12-29T02:38:44.000Z - Description: The game was closer than the score implies. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: Game Coverage ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/Gf7JExiX0AARRWp-1-.jpg) > The Amazing Adventures of Steven Lorentz's helmet [pic.twitter.com/s4xUSADhbg](https://t.co/s4xUSADhbg?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873160284397084684?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### First Period The game got off to a fast start and the Leafs looked like they might just be ready to play high-event hockey. > first save of the game was a good one for Murray [pic.twitter.com/D28Mbnjznf](https://t.co/D28Mbnjznf?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873161827917676627?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) John Tavares doing body shots in Scotiabank: > Pacioretty moves the puck, Benoit takes the shot, Tavares uses his elbow [pic.twitter.com/5jKCFhRNGw](https://t.co/5jKCFhRNGw?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873164348727898614?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Trainer: How did you score that John? > > Tavares: The People's Elbow [pic.twitter.com/jiIvtx4Rda](https://t.co/jiIvtx4Rda?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873162841911640167?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) However, Murray, who made a lot of very good saves, had two moments where his positioning was very poor: > ouch [pic.twitter.com/B2KMUh7Sbu](https://t.co/B2KMUh7Sbu?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873164498997264709?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This second one was a very good shot, but Murray was not where he should be. > Jakob Chychrun puts Washington ahead [pic.twitter.com/OyD1g2GsXN](https://t.co/OyD1g2GsXN?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873165185894298069?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Logan Thompson with a great save: > Logan Thompson robbed Nylander > > SBA had the goal lights on and everything [pic.twitter.com/OJKsHUHmiv](https://t.co/OJKsHUHmiv?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873167660793643493?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Nylander got a solo break and still couldn't get it past Thompson. > Thompson stops Nylander on the breakaway [pic.twitter.com/BoFHt77vRD](https://t.co/BoFHt77vRD?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873170534525255758?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The last five minutes were full of rapid charges up and down the ice, but nothing came of it. After one it was 2-1 Washington. The Leafs were getting in tight, and keeping the shots to the outside. Everything they need to do. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/20242025-20571-5v5.png) ### Second Period The period started a little more deliberately, and the Leafs had their chances, but Washington had them hemmed in for a very long time. A ring off the post by John Carlson was the worst that happened. Oh man! You could see this Max Domi pass coming, but it still worked, as Bobby McMann potted his won rebound. > McMann hits double-digits > > Domi and Marner assist on the goal [pic.twitter.com/LUcyc16Up1](https://t.co/LUcyc16Up1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873178972399517824?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Capitals got a wide-open net when the Leafs again can't clear the zone. > that's a lot of net [pic.twitter.com/cD5SgLK9Tl](https://t.co/cD5SgLK9Tl?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873179950385406339?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Murray squared up to Rasmus Sandin, and no one took away the pass. Or ever really seemed to notice Nic Dowd wandering out and around to camp by the net while Matt Knies was busy making a terrible pass out to William Nylander who was over the blue line and ready to go. The game had been totally clean until the last four minutes when Oliver Ekman-Larsson was slashed in the corner by Aliaksei Protas. Okay, he was actually slashed in the crotch, but it was also in the corner. > uhhh...yeah...Leafs to the power play > > (ouch) [pic.twitter.com/9LILtcJQgb](https://t.co/9LILtcJQgb?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873181946626621842?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Leafs with the first power play of the game which was okay, but not very dangerous. After two it was 3-2 Washington. The Corsi was 46-44 for Washington, the Expected Goals was 2.49 - 1.72 (NST) for the Leafs. The close game was deserved by both teams. The Leafs with a slightly bigger edge in xG in all-situations. ### Third Period Leafs with a delayed penalty for an extra-long power play very early. Pierre-Luc Dubois off for hooking. The first unit had a very early-season looking setup that just never worked. Thompson with a great catch on a Nylander chance in the last seconds. > arcing pucks [pic.twitter.com/Jo2UxgNVMm](https://t.co/Jo2UxgNVMm?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873190856020377652?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Tom Wilson is not what he used to be: > well that could've been worse [pic.twitter.com/Mi3Hy0ZBzv](https://t.co/Mi3Hy0ZBzv?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873190536640958528?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Although he sure tries to be. Washington finally got their power play when Jake McCabe took a hooking call. Mitch Marner with a shorty break, and okay, this time, I thought Thompson being a right-catching goalie gave him the advantage. It gets talked about too much, but sometimes it makes the difference. Jacob Chychrun with a hard shot that deflects off Wilson and right past Murray. > shot in off Wilson's pants [pic.twitter.com/gg7WWpNbP9](https://t.co/gg7WWpNbP9?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 29, 2024](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1873194987544018984?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Leafs pulled Murray very early and that gave Alex Ovechkin his ENG. And that was the game over for the Leafs. Final score was 5-2 Washington. The Leafs made just enough mistakes to give Washington just enough scoring opportunities. But it was a well played game by Toronto most of the time. No deserve in hockey. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/12/Capture-10.PNG) Next game is New Year's Eve at 1 pm. vs the Islanders, see you then.