Caps face Toronto, Gartner's #11 to be Retired

The Washington Capitals face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow at the Verizon Center.  The Caps are riding a two game winning streak, two back to back thrillers, with a 5-4 come from behind win in New York over the Rangers and a 3-2 win on Friday against Buffalo.   They have won 7 of their last 8 and sit atop the Southeast Division with an 8 point lead>  Carolina Hurricanes failed to gain ground tonight, falling to Boston 4-2.
The Capitals will also retire Mike Gartner’s # 11 jersey tomorrow.

The Washington Capitals will retire Mike Gartner’s No. 11 jersey at a pregame ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 28, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gartner, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who ranks second in Capitals history in goals (397), assists (392) and points (789), will become the fourth player in Capitals history to have his number retired. Yvon Labre’s No. 7 was retired on Nov. 7, 1981, Rod Langway’s No. 5 was retired on Nov. 26, 1997, and Dale Hunter’s No. 32 was retired on March 11, 2000.

Gartner was a 4th overall, first round pick of the Capitals in the 1979 NHL draft.  He stayed with the Capitals for 10 season, 1979-1989, before he was traded to Minnesota.
Gartner arrived in the DC area today, meeting with the players at Kettler Ice Complex and being greeted by Alexander Ovechkin.

“This is an honor someone like me really appreciates,” said Gartner, who owns and operates three Toronto area hockey rinks with business partner and former teammate Wes Jarvis. “When I told [13-year-old son] Dylan that they were going to retire my jersey in Washington, the first thing he said was, ‘Dad, that’s great. But will I get a chance to meet Alexander Ovechkin?’ “

Gotta love the quote!
Injury Front … Out will be Alexander Semin, Sergei Fedorov, Tomas Fleichmann, Tom Poti, and John Erskine.  Mike Green and Jeff Schultz will likely make their returns to the ice tomorrow.  D Brian Helmer was reassigned to Hershey today.
In Goal … Brent Johnson continues to nurse a ailing hip and get over being sick.  He will not suit up.  Jose Theodore, coming off an impressive win against Buffalo, will get the nod, 20 year old prospect Simeon Varlamov will backup Theo.