Leafs Win in Washington

Toronto took its second of a back-to-back, home- and-away set, handing Washington a 3-2 loss at the Verizon Centre Tuesday night. It was a much needed boost for the boys in blue after dropping 4-1 to Carolina the previous night. The win brings Toronto to an even .500 this season.

James van Riemsdyk scored twice for the Leafs while linemate Phil Kessel, still looking for his first goal this season, had two assists in the victory. For once, it wasn’t Toronto’s home crowd booing – Caps’ fans ushered their team out of the second with disappointed jeers.
Toronto had some help from the back end in this one; Leafs defenceman Korbinian Holzer, playing in his second game since being called up on Monday scored his first NHL goal midway through the second period when his shot hit a Capitals forward, shifted and beat goaltender Michal Neuvirth to put the Leafs ahead 3-1. It was just the third goal from a Leafs defenceman this season.

Washington’s Mike Ribeiro cut the lead to one in the third but the Leafs held on giving Toronto netminder Ben Scivens his second win in four starts this season.

The Leafs head to Winnipeg tonight.