Toronto Maple Leafs (9-6-2) vs. Washington Capitals (10-4-0)
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Capital One Arena
TV: Sportsnet Radio: The Fan 590
Odds: Maple Leafs +100, Capitals -120
The buzz
The Maple Leafs know they’re going to have to worry about Alex Ovechkin — he has 10 goals in 14 games — as he steams toward breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL-record 894 goals. Toronto might want to keep an eye on Mississauga native Dylan Strome as well. The latter has 18 helpers and has assisted on all 10 of Ovechkin’s goals. Ovechkin is at 863 for his career … Prior to games on Tuesday, the Caps were fourth in the NHL on the penalty kill at 87% … Caps forward Connor McMichael had 27 goals in 155 career games before this season. In 14 games in 2024-25, the Ajax, Ont., native has 10 goals … At 55.7%, the Caps were fourth in expected goals for. The Leafs were eighth at 52.2% … Ovechkin has 44 goals in 59 career games against Toronto … Leafs centre John Tavares has 46 points (20 goals and 26 assists) in 46 career games versus Washington … Toronto defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will play in his 1,000th NHL game.
The quote
“We’re going to try to keep piling up the wins. The more we win, the more we score. The more we score, the more he scores. It’s a good recipe.”
— Strome on the Caps’ success and that of Ovechkin
The projected Leafs lineup
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Max Domi-Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann-John Tavares-William Nylander
Nick Robertson-Pontus Holmberg-Connor Dewar
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goalies
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
The injuries
WAS: F Sonny Milano (upper body); TOR: C Auston Matthews (upper body), F Max Pacioretty (lower body), F Calle Jarnkrok (lower body), D Dakota Mermis (jaw); D Jani Hakanpaa (knee) is waiting for medical clearance.
The prediction
The Capitals have won seven of their nine home games and will be getting a tired Leafs group. 3-1 Washington.
X: @koshtorontosun