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Well, folks, it’s finally here. This is a day that hockey fans, especially me, have waited for a long time. Today is the first-ever “Frozen Frenzy” which features all 32 teams in action and the chance to watch one channel that shows you every hit, goal, and highlight from the games across the board. This is the NHL’s version of an “NFL RedZone,” and tonight is its debut on ESPN+ and ESPN2.
As I said, all 32 teams are in action, so there are 16 games throughout the evening, so let’s not waste any time. Let’s get into the games I’ll pay extra attention to.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (+142, 6.5)
The Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs kick off the Frozen Frenzy with a 6 p.m. puck drop. The Capitals have had a very ugly start to the 2023-24 campaign. They are currently sitting in last in the entire Eastern Conference as they are 1-2-1 in their first four games of the year. One of their biggest issues in the early going is their blue line. The Capitals are allowing 33 shots against per game. Tonight, they will face the team that generates the most shots on goal each night, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto has a ton of offensive weapons, but Mitch Marner is certainly one that stands out amongst this strong forward group. Marner currently had one goal and three assists in five games this season, but with how he has played, those numbers should be higher. He was held pointless in the team's most recent game on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Marner put up seven shots on goal in that contest. In his last three games, Marner has posted 14 shots, so he is hungrier to find the net.
Since the Capitals aren’t very sound in their own end, I imagine that Marner, Auston Matthews and Calle Jarnkrok, along with the rest of the Leafs will have no problems generating scoring chances.