Leafs lose more than game to Ottawa

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night by a 3-2 score despite a late-game surge, but lost captain Dion Phaneuf to a deep gash in his leg that could sideline him a considerable amount of time depending on the damage.

Bruins fans will remember what looked like a relatively innocuous skate cut to Dennis Seidenberg's arm late last year that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2010 postseason. They sure could have used him for those games, so we'll have to stay tuned and see what the word is on Phaneuf. UPDATE 11/03-- Phaneuf will reportedly miss four weeks...that hurts.

He's struggled this season, hearing boo-birds at the Air Canada Centre recently, and was an interesting choice to wear the 'C'.

In any case, things aren't going to get any easier for the Leafs, who are in Washington, D.C. to take on the high-flying Capitals who are back from their recent Western Conference road swing and ready to go. They were the NHL's top club at home last season and were particularly tough on the Leafs, outscoring them 12-5.