Defensively, the Toronto Maple Leafs are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 82.5 percent of their opponents power plays. One has to wonder if the increased ice time on special teams and the extracurricular activities between plays are taking their toll on the veteran team.
SENS BLOW LEAD, WIN IN OT: Bobby Ryan scored on a tip-in on a power play 5:43 into overtime, and the visiting Senators recovered after giving up a three-goal lead to beat the Bruins 4-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.
In the winning effort, the Leafs' top trio - comprised of three rookies in Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Zach Hyman - was absolutely phenomenal.
"He was outstanding in Game 1 and obviously he was no slouch tonight", said Morgan Rielly, who scored the Leafs third goal, following up on a solid series-opening performance.
The Leafs went 21-13-7 at home this season, with one win and one loss against the Capitals at the ACC. The game is over if they score. "If you're not, they're not". And that's music to the ears of head coach Mike Babcock.
"What I'm trying to say to you is life is way easier when you don't feel any tightness and everything is going good and you tic-tac-toe", Babcock said. Backstrom and Ovechkin. You look at them, they've been here the longest, and I thought they were putting out the most.
Gaining some steam from that bit of special teams superiority, the Leafs pulled back within one when Kadri fired through traffic from the point to beat Holtby. But it hasn't been an issue so far and even the Capitals think the subject is overblown.
Presidents change and lawmakers come and go, but The Washington Times is always here, and FREE online. (And it's) just because the stakes are higher. "Roman is a pretty important part of this team, not only on the ice but off, he has had a lot of experience, so you hope for the best as far as recovery and surgery goes". So everything is magnified, that's all.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals - 4/19/17 NHL Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Schmidt was a late addition to the lineup after defenseman Karl Alzner was scratched for an undisclosed upper-body injury that is considered day-to-day - it was the first game Alzner has missed since 2010. He said no and recalled a conversation with Babcock as Toronto was pushing for a post-season berth.
"I said it'll be a game-time decision so I can't make it anymore clear than that", Trotz said.
"The other team is very good, you're going nose-to-nose on a daily basis. This is going to be a battle of will and a battle of might, but I would rather go down swinging with my top-line players than not". "They're different, believe me". Hyman and Brown, as much as they're kids, they're dependable. If you can keep it tight against a high-octane team like that, the puck doesn't move the same and the game is tighter for them. It started with a healthy run by Kadri at Brooks Orpik, whose hit had accidentally injured Polak.
Filip Forsberg, Predators - Forsberg was the beneficiary of a couple of fortunate bounces to score both Predators third-period goals that erased a 2-0 deficit and forced overtime. Braden Holtby has given up 10 goals on 116 shots faced.
For the Leafs conversely, the game proceeded much as Babcock feared it would.
Matthews stuck with the rebound and eventually batted the puck out of mid-air for Toronto's first goal. The group managed to withstand a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage and then, for good measure, killed off another Caps advantage a few minutes later. We need some rhythm coming off our bench, sometimes you get too carried away and get no rhythm.
"[Matthews] is an elite skill guy and can play with and without the puck against anybody", Babcock said.
Corbyn tells Scotland: Vote Labour to keep 'vicious' Tories out
The Sunday Times reported that when asked whether he would condemn IRA actions in Warrington, Mr Corbyn did not respond. He vowed to end both food banks and public sector pay caps, raise the minimum wage to £10 and ban zero-hours contracts.
Marcelo: Madrid not inferior to Barca after Clasico loss
