How to watch Ovechkin chase Howe's 801 goal mark vs. Maple Leafs originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
With Alex Ovechkin needing just one goal tie Gordie Howe for the second most in NHL history, the Capitals will play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday in a matchup that will pit goaltender Ilya Samsonov against his former team.
Coming off a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, the Capitals have played some of their best hockey of the season during the month of December. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have been red hot with a 9-1-1 record over their last 11 games including back-to-back shutouts by Samsonov.
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But all eyes will be on Ovechkin, who was held scoreless by the Stars after posting a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday to reach 800 career goals.
Here's everything you need to know before puck drop.
CAPITALS VS. MAPLE LEAFS HOW TO WATCH
What: Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Capitals at Maple Leafs will be be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington.
Live Stream: The game can be streamed on the NBC Sports Washington website and on the MyTeams App.
CAPITALS VS. MAPLE LEAFS TV SCHEDULE
6:00 PM: Capitals Pregame Live
7:00 PM: Capitals vs. Maple Leafs (LIVE)
9:30 PM: Capitals Postgame Live
CAPITALS VS. MAPLE LEAFS WHAT TO WATCH
From NBC Sports Washington's Matt Weyrich:
"After beating their opponents in nearly every possession metric for the month of November other than goals scored, the Capitals have come out in December converting on more of their chances. That trend came to a screeching halt against the Stars with Oettinger making a series of clutch saves that limited them to one goal by Sheary for the night." Read more.
"Even as he aged into his late 30s, the Great 8 has remained one of the NHL’s most potent goal scorers. It’s allowed him to climb to the heights of Gretzky and Howe, heights that for decades seemed insurmountable. As Ovechkin nears Howe’s total of 801 for the second most all time, it’s worth pausing to look back on how he reached the 800-goal club." Read more.
CAPITALS VS. MAPLE LEAFS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Capitals: Alex Ovechkin, LW (20 goals, 15 assists in 32 games): Ovechkin enters Saturday's contest riding a five-game points streak with 11 goals in his last 12 games overall. He's on pace for 51 goals this season, which would make him the oldest 50-goal scorer in NHL history.
Maple Leafs: Ilya Samsonov, G (11 games, .939 SV%, 1.70 GAA): Samsonov has thrived in his first season with the Maple Leafs, taking the starting job from Matt Murray and finding the consistency that long evaded him in Washington.
