Marner & Nylander unlucky, Murray shaky, and more: 3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-2 to Washington Capitals

The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped a 5-2 decision to the Washington Capitals on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. The matchup marked Alex Ovechkin’s first game back following a broken fibula earlier this season.

Ovechkin got an empty-netter to seal the win for the Capitals. Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Nic Dowd and Tom Wilson (PPG) got the other tallies for Washington. John Tavares and Bobby McMann scored for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So, here’s a look at the three main reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Washington Capitals:

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Three reasons why teh Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Washington Capitals

#3 Disappointing special teams

The game was mostly even throughout. Despite playing back-to-back nights, the Toronto Maple Leafs held their own, keeping the game close. So, the biggest difference boiled down to the Leafs’ special teams failing to make a difference.

Firstly, the Leafs' power play failed to score. The Leafs got a crucial power play early in the third period with the game aat 3-2. While the Leafs managed a couple of high-danger chances, including one unlucky bounce against William Nylander, they didn't score.

Secondly, the missed power play opportunity came back to haunt the Leafs, as Tom Wilson deflected a shot during the Caps’ only chance with the man advantage. That put the Capitals up 4-2 and essentially sealed the win.

#2 Matt Murray shaky in early going

With the Toronto Maple Leafs playing on back-to-back nights, backup goaltender Matt Murray got the start in place of the injured Anthony Stolarz. While Murray played a decent game, he looked shaky, especially early on.

Murray gave up two soft goals in the first period. Mangiapane’s goal with the Leafs up 1-0 was a terrible one, as the puck squeaked between Murray's legs after he had made the initial save.

Chychrun’s one-timer put the Caps up 2-1, which was a shot Murray should have had. The shot, while a rocket, beat Murray on the short side from an angle that was too sharp to score. Nevertheless, the puck hit Murray and went into the back of the net.

Murray settled down but surrendered a questionable power play goal with Tom Wilson parked in front of the net. The goal wasn’t entirely on Murray, but a top-tier netminder would have made that save. Murray didn’t, though, and the Leafs lost the game.

#1 Marner, Nylander unlucky

The Toronto Maple Leafs passed the eye test against the Capitals. The Leafs played hard down the stretch, showing no signs of slowing down.

Unfortunately, they were unlucky, particularly in the third period, when they pushed to win the game. Mitch Marner had a shorthanded chance as David Kampf chipped the puck to him. Marner fired a rocket, but Caps netminder Logan Thompson made a great glove save.

William Nylander was also the victim of bad luck, as his shot during the Leafs’ second power play opportunity beat Thompson. But Thompson reached back and swatted at the puck, getting just enough to knock it away.

Had the puck landed behind Thompson, the Leafs would have tied the game. Instead, the puck stayed out on both occasions.

The Leafs can rest until Tuesday when then they on the New York Islanders at the Scotiabank Arena.