Toppling Toronto – Washington is 11-4-2 in its last 17 games against Toronto (1/15/10-1/7/15) and the Capitals have posted an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 home games against the Maple Leafs. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has earned 50 points (28g, 22a) in 35 career games against the Maple Leafs and Nicklas Backstrom has registered 23 points (4g, 19a) in 26 career games against Toronto. Goaltender Braden Holtby has posted a 3-1-1 record with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in his career against Toronto.
Home Sweet Home – The Capitals have earned a point in 14 of their last 17 home games (12/11-2/25: 12-3-2). Washington has outscored opponents 49-33 during the last 17 home games and is 15 for 58 (25.9%) on the power play and 47 for 55 (85.5%) on the penalty kill. The Capitals rank third in the NHL in home power-play percentage (25.5%), fourth in home power-play goals (26) and tied for 10th in home goals against (70).
New Home – Defenseman Tim Gleason is scheduled to make his Capitals debut tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Verizon Center. The Capitals acquired Gleason from the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday in exchange for defenseman Jack Hillen and a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Gleason, 32, has registered 140 points (17g, 123a) in 710 career NHL games with Los Angeles, Toronto and Carolina. The 6’0”, 217-pound defenseman earned seven points (one goal, six assists) in 55 games with the Hurricanes this season. Gleason played in 546 games during nine seasons with Carolina (2006-14, 14-15), ranking ninth in franchise history in games played. In addition, Gleason ranks fifth in penalty minutes (537), 10th in assists (93) and 12th in points (107) by a defenseman in Hurricanes franchise history. The Clawson, Mich., native represented the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and was (+3) in six games as the U.S. won silver. Gleason has also played for Team USA at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, the 2003 World Junior Championship and the 2001 World Junior Championship.
Caps Connections – Gleason registered five points (1g, 4a) and 55 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Maple Leafs during the 2013-14 season. Washington right wings Joel Ward and Tom Wilson are both natives of Toronto. Goaltender Justin Peters was born in Blyth, Ont., located approximately 125 miles west of Toronto. Center Michael Latta is a native of Waterloo, Ont., located approximately 70 miles southwest of Toronto.
Dynamic Duo – Alex Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (39) and ranks tied for fifth in points (62) and Nicklas Backstrom leads the League in assists (46) and ranks tied for first in points (64). Backstrom and Ovechkin have combined to register 126 points this season, marking the highest total for any teammates in the NHL. Backstrom (18) and Ovechkin (39) have also combined to score 57 goals this season, ranking first in the League. Ovechkin leads the Capitals in goals and Backstrom ranks second. Backstrom has earned an assist on 25 of Ovechkin’s 39 goals this season and since Backstrom entered the NHL in 2007-08, he has recorded an assist on 165 of Ovechkin’s 363 goals (45.5%).
Smith Reaches 1,500 Games – Capitals head athletic trainer Greg Smith will work his 1,500th professional hockey game on Sunday against the Maple Leafs. In 1994, Smith began his professional hockey career as an athletic trainer intern with the Washington Capitals. After stints with the Baltimore Bandits (AHL) and Anaheim Ducks, Smith returned to the Capitals in 1999. The Bowie, Md., native is in his 15th season with the Capitals and his 19th season in professional hockey.