Top 3 keys to victory for the Capitals against Maple Leafs

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The Washington Capitals go for four wins in a row tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before we look at the top 3 keys to victory, here's how to watch this epic clash.

Date: 3/20/24
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena
What Channel Is Capitals Game On: TNT and MAX
Radio: 106.7 The Fan and Caps Radio 24/7
Betting Odds: The Maple Leafs vs. Capitals betting odds on Caesars have the Caps as 1.5 point underdogs at home. The Caps have +118 moneyline odds, while the Leafs are the favorite at -140. The total for the game is set at an over/under of 6.5 goals.
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#3 Win the scoring battle at five on five

Sounds simple, right? Not against a team like Toronto. The Caps went from second last in the league to 29th in the league in goals scored but while it's an improvement, the Leafs are ranked fourth in that category. Might be safe to bet the over no matter whos in goal.

Nick Jensen, Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals / Derek Cain/GettyImages

#2 Defense has to lock down

Defense wins championships and defense also wins hockey games. In order to stop a team like the Maple Leafs, who house Auston Matthews, the Caps defense needs to be on their toes no matter whos in net but my hunch is Charlie Lindgren since he's been the hot hand.

Per the game notes, the Capitals have allowed just four goals over their last three games which averages out to 1.33 goals allowed per game. It marks the fourth instance this season that the Caps have allowed two or fewer goals in three or more consecutive games.

The Caps have done this in stretches in their hot November as well as right before Christmas and in mid January. This season Washington ranks eigthth in the NHL in blocked shots with 1,150 and have blocked 27.3 percent of shot attempts, which is the sixth highest percentage in the NHL per Sportlogiq.

During the last two games the Capitals have killed off all four opposing power play opportunities. They get a test against Toronto who are ranked fifth in the power play with a 26.2 percent power play percentage.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals / Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Power up the power play

The Caps power play struggled at the start of the season. But they've been hot lately and the other night it was your captain Alex Ovechkin who struck twice on the power play in Calgary.

The multi power play goal effort was Washington's fourth game with said effort in their last 12 contests. Since Feb. 8, the Capitals have converted on 19 of 58 power play opportunities which is tied with the Florida Panthers at 32.8 percent for the highest power play percentage in the NHL.

Since Jan. 1, the Caps own the fourth best power play percentage in the NHL at 28.1 percent. After ranking 31st in power play percentage through their first 34 games of the season for a lowly 11.5 percent, they now rank 20th on the season with a 19.8 percent success rate.

The Caps scored a power play goal in seven straight games from Feb. 24 through March 9 which marked the longest stretch of consecutive games with a power play goal since Dec. 1-13, 2022.

If you want beat the Maple Leafs you HAVE to score on the power play. It's simple math.

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#3 Win the scoring battle at five on five

#2 Defense has to lock down

#1 Power up the power play

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