Capitals vs. Maple Leafs: Washington searches for Game 3 win as playoffs return to Toronto

Nobody said it would be easy. Chris Martin said that once. That song is now stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

The Washington Capitals are no strangers to playoff series not going the way they expected. Here they are again, tied 1-1 with the Toronto Maple Leafs as they head to Canada for Game 3 on Monday.

Injuries will force some lineup changes for both sides. Roman Polak is out and Nikita Zaitsev is in for the Leafs. Karl Alzner is a game-time decision for the Capitals, who might dress Nate Schmidt if he can’t go.

The Leafs are young, but resilient. Toronto lost one of its veteran defensemen, Roman Polak, to a season-ending injury in Game 2. The loss didn’t slow them down or shake them; Morgan Rielly gave the team a 3-2 lead moments later and Kasperi Kapanen won the game in double-overtime. The “next man up” attitude isn’t a unique thing in sports, but it’s not universally common for inexperienced playoff teams like Toronto. A good sign.

Braden Holtby. It’s not that Holtby has been bad, but he’s getting outplayed by the Leafs’ Frederik Andersen. Toronto’s netminder has stopped 13 of 14 high-danger scoring chances at even strength. Holtby has stopped 11 of 13. At some point the Capitals will need their reigning Vezina Trophy winner to lock down a game and shut down the Leafs if they want to escape this series.

What impact will Nikita Zaitsev have? Toronto’s rookie offensive defenseman missed the first two games with an upper-body injury, a timely return with Polak out. Zaitseve was a minutes-eater all season for Toronto, and his offensive vision could make things even harder for a Capitals team potentially missing defenseman Karl Alzner.

Toronto has the rabid fans behind them and all the youthful confidence in the world after that thrilling Game 2 win. Look for them to follow it up with at least one win on home ice between Games 3 and 4. Maple Leafs take Game 3.