The Washington Capitals' 3-1 regulation loss to the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday was their second 60-minute loss of the season and first in over a month. The Caps will attempt to move forward Monday at the still-friendly confines of Verizon Center against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Caps had a hard time with the Leafs in their only other meeting this season, a 5-4 win November 3. The Capitals would blow a 3-1 lead in the third period and even trail 4-3 before tying the game and winning in a shootout. Since that game, the Leafs have won four of their following thirteen games.
Michal Neuvirth left the ice first during Monday's morning skate and should get the start against Toronto after Semyon Varlamov got the nod in Saturday's game. Neuvirth's last start came Thursday against the Dallas Stars in a 2-1 loss.
The other news making the rounds about tonight's game is Mathieu Perreault's promotion from AHL Hershey and the undisclosed player that head coach Bruce Boudreau said will be placed on the injured reserve list. The only clue that Boudreau gave the media during Monday's morning skate was that the player in question will not be Alex Semin, who has suffered from an undisclosed injury all season.
Meanwhile, Toronto will look to right a sinking ship; the Leafs started the season 4-0-0 but have won only five times since October 26. Toronto is also 0-7-1 in their last eight road games. Jonas Gustavsson should get the start in net. Gustavsson made 26 saves in his other start against Washington this season.