DETROIT -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus apologized again Thursday, a day after he sarcastically told reporters that he beats his w

DETROIT -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus apologized again Thursday, a day after he sarcastically told reporters that he beats his wife when his team isnt playing well. Superstar NZ . Ausmus says he realized his words were insensitive and in poor taste as soon as they left his mouth. The first-year manager was asked after Detroits 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday how his mood is when he heads home from the ballpark these days. The Tigers have dropped 20 of 29. Ausmus, clearly trying to joke, said: "I beat my wife." About a minute later, without being prompted, Ausmus said: "I didnt want to make light of battered women. I didnt mean to make light of that, so I apologize for that if that offended anyone." Stan Smith NZ . Advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals should be a formality after Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Dani Alves added a late second to secure a commanding 2-0 advantage over City in the round of 16 on Tuesday. NMD XR1 NZ . -- The way Ted Ligety carved into turns looked so easy. http://www.nmdshoesnz.com/adidas-y-3-cheap-nz.html .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April.The last time the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals met, the former was on its way to winning four of five while the latter was in the midst of dropping four of five. The outcome of that game was as would be expected. When the teams meet tonight in Toronto, recent form will be entirely flipped, and the club with extended struggles will have a new coach on the bench. Since that 1-3-1 stretch from Nov. 22-Dec. 2, which included a 6-2 loss at Toronto on Nov. 29, the Capitals (20-11-7) have been one of the best team in hockey with a 10-1-3 record making for a furious ascent in the Metropolitan Division. We dont get flustered as much as we did earlier in the year, coach Barry Trotz said. Early in the year our highs were very high and our lows were low ... (now) theres not too many highs or too many lows. We just say Hey, things are going to happen, lets just get the momentum back, lets get the next one, lets go. The Maple Leafs (21-16-3) havent struggled for as long of a time, but theyve clearly had enough after a 2-7-0 span. On Tuesday, it cost coach Randy Carlyle his job. Assistants Peter Horacek and Steve Spott will take over for the time being, and theres been no indication as to which avenue the club will take toward finding a full-time solution. I think wed all agree weve had some good periods, good stretches, but I dont think I can stand here in front of you and say that weve been consistent, general manager Dave Nonis said. We just felt at this point this was the right time to make the change and move ahead and try to get this team back playing like we have played for periods this season. The new coaches will debut before a home crowd after a seven-game road trip that ended with a 5-1 loss Saturday at Winnipeg. Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri missed the past two games with a lower-body injury but looks to be in line for a return tonight. He was expected to miss 7-10 days. Stephane Robidas, who sat as a healthy scratch the past four games, appears to be back in the lineup for tonights contestt as well. Stan Smith Sale NZ. Torontos defensive struggles figure to be at the forefront of the new regimes focus, having allowed 3.89 goals per game over the nine-game span with a power-play goal conceded in five straight (70.6 percent). Its been too much of a roller-coaster, Nonis said. Its not that (players are) not capable because they are. Its not that they havent done it because they have. Thats probably the biggest reason, or one of the biggest reasons, for the change today. The Capitals, meanwhile, can match a season-best three-game winning streak after Sundays 4-3 home win over Florida. Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist, splitting a multipoint effort for a third straight game, and he and Nicklas Backstrom had a fresh face on the top line. Rookie Andre Burakovsky skated with the top Capitals forwards for the first time, and he scored his fifth goal of the season for his only point in seven games. He was playing with two big stars and he didnt look intimidated, Trotz said. Braden Holtby has been in goal for the entire 14-game stretch with a 2.05 goals-against average. As a starter against Toronto, hes 2-0-1 with a 0.97 GAA. Jonathan Bernier gets the start in goal for Toronto after James Reimer faced the Jets. Against Washington, Bernier is 3-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA, including a 35-save effort in the November meeting. Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen is questionable after suffering a lower-body injury against Florida. Capitals (47PTS) at Maple Leafs (45PTS) - 7PM TOR is 1-0-0 vs WSH this season, winning at home TOR has won 3 straight at home vs WSH TOR (21-16-3): lost 2 straight, 1GF in each game, 1/8 on PP JVR (3G, 5A) past 6 games WSH (20-11-7): 3-0-1 past 4 games, 3GF in each game, 2/15 on PP Ovechkin (3G, 3A) 3 game PT streak Projected Leafs lines vs. Capitals FORWARD Winnik - Kadri - Kessel van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Santorelli Komarov - Smith - Clarkson Panik - Carrick - McKegg DEFENCE Phaneuf - Franson Rielly - Polak Gardiner - Robidas GOALIE Bernier Starts ' ' '