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Capitals to honor Gartner, host Maple Leafs

Dec 28, 2008 - 7:52 AM Toronto (14-15-6) at Washington (22-11-3), 7:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Before going for their eighth win in nine games, the Washington Capitals will honor Mike Gartner.

Gartner will have his No. 11 retired Sunday before the red-hot Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a meeting of teams that once featured the Hall of Famer.

During his legendary 19-year career with the Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes, Gartner amassed 708 goals and 627 assists. He ranks sixth all-time with 1,335 points.

Selected fourth overall in 1979, Gartner notched 397 goals and 392 assists during his 10-year tenure with Washington. In his first year of eligibility, Gartner was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

While Gartner became the first Capital to be enshrined in Toronto, Alex Ovechkin is certainly building a Hall-of-Fame resume. In his fourth season, Ovechkin has already accumulated 186 goals and 357 points.

The 23-year-old Russian netted the game-winner, his team-leading 23rd goal of the season, in Friday's 3-2 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres. The reigning Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin also leads the Southeast Division-leading Capitals with 47 points.

The Maple Leafs will try to avoid a third straight loss after falling to the lowly New York Islanders, 4-1, on Friday. Toronto has been outscored by a 12-3 margin over its two losses.