Capitals at Maple Leafs

Washington Capital’s Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots on goal as Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Reilly looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.

Leo Komarov levelled the game early in the second but the Caps ran away following power-play goals from Marcus Johansson and Justin Williams.

Bernier started in goal Saturday against the Washington Capitals but allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 4-2 Maple Leafs loss. The goal was Wilson’s first of the year and he has to be alright with it (finally) coming in Toronto on a Saturday HNIC broadcast.

The Washington power play helped put the Capitals ahead to stay moments later. Babcock said. “If I was wrong, I erred on 20 minutes”. If it were not for Holtby’s strong play Washington would’ve been playing from behind after the first period, rather than involved in a tie game.

Interestingly enough, Sportsnet’s Steve Dangle observed that Bernier’s poor starts – which could have lost him the starting gig this year – aren’t just an eye test observation; the Leafs have outshot their opponents 105-63 in the first period while the Quebec native is in net, yet he’s allowed eight goals in the seven first periods that the team allowed nine or fewer shots against. Toronto, now last in the Eastern Conference standings, fell to 3-5-3 at home and 7-11-5 on the season. “I mean, I can’t really say too much other than it feels a lot better so we’re heading in the right direction, so, hopefully mid-week”. “That’s what Reims did”, said Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.

Leafs respond three minutes later.

“Once we scored the power-play goal, you could see us get some life on the bench”, Trotz said.

Power-play opportunities_Washington 2 of 3; Toronto 1 of 2.

Sparks will be the first Leafs goaltender to make his debut since Ben Scrivens on November 3, 2011 in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Toronto called up netminder Garret Sparks from its AHL affiliate earlier in the day to serve as a backup. The Maple Leafs play their next game on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers at Air Canada Centre.

James Reimer, who has been sidelined with a lower body injury (believed to be a groin muscle problem), practiced Sunday but said he is targeting a return mid week, when the Leafs are on the road to Winnipeg and Minnesota. In 11 games with the Marlies this season, Sparks has a great goals against average of 1.90 and a save percentage of.