Are the Leafs going to break out of this horrible funk? Here are some key questions with predictions:
1) Will Ovechkin score a long wrist shot goal from the blue line boards? Prediction - no. If this was Vesa Toskala playing net this would be a definitive yes. Gustavsson is a big goalie and good at making the first save.
2) Will Mike Green have a big night? Prediction - yes. The Leafs powerplay has been awful lately although a lot of that has to do with countless point shots scoring on JS Giguere. Look for Green to rack up two helpers tonight, at least one of which will come with the extra man.
3) Will Michal "Annoyed Bert" Neuvirth have a strong game? Prediction - no. Neuvirth has been amazingly consistent this year except the game he withheld an illness from the coach and was pulled after two goals in the first period of a game. He is due for a bad game. This combined with the Leafs hunger for goals and Neuvirth's poor track record against Toronto (6 goals against last year) plus the fact that I have him in the pool and I predict 4 goals against tonight.
4) How many goals will Washington score? Prediction - 5.
5) Will Phil Kessel show up for this game? Prediction - yes. Against defensive minded, physical teams like Boston, and New York, Kessel has been a no show with his sometimes annoying finesse game where he just peels away, willing to take no physical contact whatsoever. Washington plays an up tempo offense and in a fast paced open ice hockey game I like Kessel's chance to score two tonight.
6) How many times will Francois Beauchemin make a giveaway, fail to clear the puck while short handed by not raising the puck, or make an otherwise boneheaded play. Prediction - 6.
7) How many times will the announcer rant on and on about how Versteeg is so unlucky and "it's just a matter of time before they start going in for him."? Prediction - 3.
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