in a 1-5-1 stretch. No player better encapsulates their struggles than captain Alex Ovechkin, who was held without a point for a fourth straight game and heard derisive chants of ``Ovvvviii! Ovvvviii!'' in the third period.

Gustavsson has endured his share of ups and downs in the Toronto goal this season, but Saturday he delivered a strong performance. He turned away all 15 shots he faced in the second period, including two in quick succession from the frustrated Ovechkin.

Despite that, it was clear early on that this would be a good night for the home team. Connolly opened the scoring at 1:38 with a well-placed wrist shot, and even though Laich tied it less than a minute later, the Leafs were back ahead before the intermission.

Frattin made it 2-1with 43.9 seconds left in the first by beating Caps starter Tomas Vokoun high. His first NHL goal came in his 18th game.

Vokoun would soon be chased from the goal after allowing goals to Bozak and Kessel less than six minutes into the second period. Michal Neuvirth didn't have much better luck, getting beat on the power play by Lupul and Frattin just over two minutes apart to make it 6-1 Toronto heading to the third period.

The Caps looked dejected as the skated out the final minutes of their most lopsided loss of the season, and Steckel put them away with a breakaway goal as the clock wound down.

It was also Washington's fourth missed to get coach Bruce Boudreau his 200th career NHL victory. But they clearly have