Maple Leafs at Capitals
THE STORY: While Toronto can't seem to buy a win, the Washington Capitals can potentially move into first place in the Southeast Division with a victory over the visiting Maple Leafs on Sunday. Washington posted its second straight triumph by recording a 4-3 win over Boston on Saturday afternoon to pull within a point of division-leading Florida. Toronto's dream for the postseason appears to be over after falling for the 13th time in 15 games with a hard-luck 1-0 shootout loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, RIS, RSNO
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (30-30-8): G Jonas Gustavsson deserved a better fate as he kept the high-octane Flyers in check. His only misstep was allowing All-Star Claude Giroux to score in the shootout. Unfortunately for Gustavsson, Toronto's offense was handcuffed by Ilya Bryzgalov as the team fell to 1-2-1 under the watchful eye of Randy Carlyle. All-Star Phil Kessel, who was denied on an overtime breakaway on Saturday, has recorded two goals and an assist versus Washington this season.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (33-28-6): Washington, which is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, would claim the division lead with a win and a regulation loss by Florida on Sunday. The Capitals finally saw a contribution from their power play when Brooks Laich tallied on Saturday. The goal was the team's first such goal in eight games. G Tomas Vokoun continued to make his case for more playing time by winning his second straight after sitting out six straight contests. The veteran netminder is 9-4-2 in his career versus Toronto.
OVERTIME:
1. Gustavsson, who has started all four games under Carlyle, is 2-1-1 in his brief career versus Washington. He stopped 40 of 41 shots in his last outing, a 7-1 win on Nov. 19.
2. After Sunday's tilt, Washington begins a crucial five-game road trip. The Capitals have struggled away from the Verizon Center, posting a 12-18-3 mark.
3. Toronto RW Colby Armstrong may make his return after suffering a broken nose.