Maple Leafs' Simon Benoit: Physical force against Caps

Benoit recorded nine hits with a blocked shot, a shot on net and a plus-1 rating in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Capitals.

The game got chippy in the third period as the Maple Leafs pulled away, and Benoit earned his keep with a dominant physical performance. The 25-year-old blueliner hasn't produced a point in his last nine games, but he's piled up 37 hits, 15 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over that stretch, including three separate games with six-plus hits. Beniot's 184 hits on the season have come in only 51 games, and as long as he stays out of the press box, he should reach 200 for the second straight campaign.