Caps Today, 1/31/13

Posted on January 31, 2013

Today’s Storyline
The Washington Capitals continue their two-game Canadian road trip tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nicklas Backstrom (fourth overall) leads his 2006 draft class in points (370) while Phil Kessel (fifth overall) ranks third (330). Backstrom has recorded 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 18 career games against Toronto.

Upcoming Media
Today, 12:45 p.m.: Greg Wyshynski on The Sports Fix, ESPN 980 AM
Today, 6:15 p.m.: John Walton on LaVar and Dukes, FAN 106.7 FM
Tomorrow, 2:45 p.m.: Alan May on Inside the Locker Room, ESPN 980 AM

Must Read/See/Hear Material

WashingtonCaps.com: Caps Take on Toronto at ACC

Capitals Voice: Your Capitals Minute for Thursday, January 31 / Your Capitals Minute for Wednesday, January 30 / About Last Night: Caps Pounce Early, But Fall Late in Ottawa

Washington Post: Washington Capitals' evolution under Coach Adam Oates is a slow one / Capitals Insider: One-timers: Caps' strong start dampened by tough finish in Ottawa / Capitals Insider: Don't panic (yet) about the Caps / DC Sports Bog: Leonsis on Verizon Center ticketing and security / DC Sports Bog: Ted Leonsis says Alex Ovechkin 'needs to play better' / DC Sports Bog: Ted Leonsis on Comcast SportsNet and Monumental Network

Washington Times: Keith Aucoin capitalizing on Islanders chance / Capitals notes: Stricter penalty calls require adjustment / Capitals Watch: Ex-Caps teammates thrilled about Keith Aucoin's hot start in NHL / Capitals Watch: Joey Crabb gets Toronto homecoming with Capitals / Capitals Watch: Morning After Analysis: Senators 3, Capitals 2

Washington Examiner: After stalling early, Washington Capitals looking for a jump-start

CSN Washington: Capitals Talk: Capitals-Maple Leafs Preview

NHL: Capitals chase first road win against Maple Leafs
Ted's Take: Wizards Alumni on Cards and Golf / If Only the Game Were 38 Minutes Long / John Wall Story in Washington Post

Recent Transactions
Jan. 21 Recalled Tomas Kundratek from Hershey

Ovechkin vs. Toronto – Alex Ovechkin has tallied 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in 27 career games against Toronto. In 14 of those 27 games Ovechkin has recorded two or more points. He has recorded at least one point in all but five of his career games against the Maple Leafs. His 42 points are the most in his career against any Northeast Division opponent.

 

Taming Toronto – Mike Ribeiro and Wojtek Wolski have combined to score 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 35 games against the Maple Leafs in their careers. Ribeiro has contributed 22 of those points in 27 career games vs. Toronto (his highest total against any Eastern Conference team) while Wolski has added nine points in eight games, including four assists in four games last season.

 

Goaltending vs. the Northeast – Michal Neuvirth has registered a 4-1-1 record with a 3.08 goals-against average in eight career games against Toronto. He has gone 4-0-1 in his last six games against the Maple Leafs and has not lost a decision in Toronto since Dec. 12, 2009 (2-0-0 in three games since). He has played more games (32) and earned more wins (17) in his career against teams from the Northeast Division than any other division. Braden Holtby has one career start against Toronto, stopping 35 of 36 shots for a 4-1 win at Air Canada Centre on Jan. 22, 2011. He has registered a 4-1-1 record with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage against teams from the Northeast Division.

 

Toronto trend – The Capitals are 7-1-1 in their last nine games against Toronto, and 3-1-0 on the road in that span. 

Canadian club – The Capitals are 12-4-2 in their last 18 games versus teams from north of the border. Washington has outscored its Canadian opponents 51-38 and pitched four shutouts during that span.

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