Alex Ovechkin is back for the Washington Capitals, but not yet in top-flight form after missing six games. (Frank Franklin II/Associated Press)

For a team with glaring defensive issues, Toronto could hardly have done worse than draw Alexander Ovechkin and the skilled Washington Capitals on Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET).

Washington riddled the Toronto defence in the first week of the season, a 6-4 game that could have been more one-sided for the Capitals were it not for a missed breakaway and several odd-man rushes not converted.

Ovechkin and Alex Semin combined for six points in that game, but the glimmer of hope for the Leafs is that Ovechkin is working his way back into form after the longest injury absence of his career, while Semin is out altogether with a wrist injury.

In addition to its two offensive stars, Washington is missing some key depth players due to injuries.

The Maple Leafs have given up 21 goals during their current five-game losing streak, and the team hopes it hit its nadir in a woeful start to the season with Thursday's 6-5 shootout loss to Carolina.

Toronto (3-11-6) was up by three goals but couldn't contain the Hurricanes. On a positive note, struggling forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Lee Stempniak broke goal-scoring droughts, while Nikolai Kulemin and John Mitchell each set up two scores.

Phil Kessel, terrific in his first weeks as a Maple Leaf, had perhaps his least impressive offensive showing despite the surplus of goals.

Kessel can be excused for a so-so night after notching eight points in eight games after shoulder injury, but several other Toronto players find themselves on the hot seat.

The loss to Carolina had fans talking about drastic changes for the Leafs, but there are no easy answers at this juncture of the season.

One small step might be centre Andrew Ebbett, once signed by Leafs general manager Brian Burke when the pair were in Anaheim. Ebbett was waived by Chicago on Friday due to salary cap constraints.

The Vernon, B.C., native is small, but is a smart playmaker who works hard, attributes Toronto could use.

(NOTE: Ebbett was claimed Saturday afternoon by the Minnesota Wild)

Goalie Jonas Gustavsson, one of the few bright lights for Toronto this season, has an unsightly 5.41 average and .850 save percentage in his last three starts. Veteran Vesa Toskala has been better in his last two starts, but is still without a win this season.

Whoever gets the call Saturday at Air Canada Centre won't have much success if Toronto skaters continue a penchant for passive penalty killing and missed assignments in the neutral zone.

The players who spoke to the media on Friday after practice said that after the 45-shot ledger they allowed the Hurricanes, coach Ron Wilson emphasized shot blocking and boxing out forwards from rebound attempts.

The Maple Leafs are last in the NHL in penalty killing, with Washington sixth on the power play.

Washington (13-5-4)

The Capitals are likely to be in a foul mood after a late flight to Toronto that followed a 3-2 home loss on Friday. Washington scored early and late against Montreal, but in between went 0-for-3 on the power play in a 3-2 loss.

As well, young goalie Michal Neuvirth looked shaky on a couple of Montreal's goals and Brooks Laich couldn't make good on a breakaway chance.

Eric Fehr and Brendan Morrison scored for the Caps, with Neuvirth finishing with 19 saves in just his sixth career start.

Morrison is enjoying a late-career renaissance in Washington after a couple of tough years, and has seven points in as many games.

Ovechkin played just his second game after his undisclosed injury, and was unable to beat Carey Price on five shots. The Russian scored his 15th goal in his first game back on Tuesday, putting him tied for second in the NHL despite missing six games.

Because of injuries to Shaone Morrisonn and Milan Jurcina, 19-year-old defenceman John Carlson was pressed into his first NHL game.

Toronto shooters will likely face goalie Semyon Varlamov on Saturday night. Veteran netminder José Theodore is on a personal leave this week.

The Maple Leafs will play three times next week, beginning on Monday with the first season visit to ACC of rookie John Tavares and the New York Islanders.