Top 3 keys to victory for the Capitals against Maple Leafs

#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.