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.

John Tavares doing body shots in Scotiabank:

However, Murray, who made a lot of very good saves, had two moments where his positioning was very poor:

This second one was a very good shot, but Murray was not where he should be.

Logan Thompson with a great save:

Nylander got a solo break and still couldn't get it past Thompson.

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.

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.

Capitals got a wide-open net when the Leafs again can't clear the zone.

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.

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.

Tom Wilson is not what he used to be:

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.

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.

Next game is New Year's Eve at 1 pm. vs the Islanders, see you then.

Game Coverage