It's Saturday night, which as we all know means it's game night! Can't possibly have HNIC without a Toronto game. Tonight the Leafs take on the Habs at 7:00 pm. I see that it's the GCL/NHL.tv Free Game of the night so that's good news for some. Preview, lines and GDT will all be out in good time.

Meanwhile the Furies are up against the Brampton Thunder tonight at 8:00 pm. It's also available to watch for free. I suggest two monitors tonight. With all the Team Canada players in Finland it should be an interesting game.

Brampton comes into the series 0-3-1 - maybe missing their goalie, three defenders and two forwards will be enough of a shakeup to shake something loose? Furies will be down two-thirds of their top line (Spooner and Kohanchuk) and their shiny first and second round picks (Fast and Ambrose) so we'll see how Cava does with new linemates and whether Suzuki gets into a game for the first time this season.

Leafs News

Toronto Maple Leafs, MLSE Foundation to honour Indigenous people of Canada - Pension Plan Puppets
The November 1st game will highlight the need for help with survivors of residential schools, suicide, and .missing & murdered indigenous women

Mike Babcock thinks his players need to chill - Pension Plan Puppets
Babcock was in philosophical mode in the post-game presser last night that was mostly about goalies.

Vintage Leaf Memories - Michael Langlois: Leafs have hit some draft home runs in recent times, but there was nothing quite like the NHL draft in the spring of ’73…
On this occasion, my mind has wandered back to a time when the Leafs actually had three selections in the first round of the NHL draft (It wasn’t called the “entry draft” back in the day…).

NHL Recaps

Recap: Carolina Hurricanes Take Down New York Rangers in Home Opener - Canes Country
If I was writing the headline it'd be Brian Bickell's jersey robs Skinner of hattrick.
Jets Blank Avalanche on the Road - Arctic Ice Hockey
The Winnipeg Jets achieved a rare feat, winning the second game of a back-to-back.

Sens Lose the Game, Hammond - Silver Seven
Sens are down to their number 3 and 4 goalies. I vote we bubble wrap all healthy goalies immediately.

New Jersey Devils Disappointingly Drop Game Late to Chicago, 2-3 (OT) - All About The Jersey
The New Jersey Devils played a great game against the Chicago Blackhawks for two periods.This does not sound familiar at all.
McDavid and Talbot Lead Oilers Over Canucks - The Copper & Blue
Oilers 7-1-0 start matches the best start in franchise history. Is this the season the Oiler finally click? Check back in February to find out!


Other News

Artist David Arrigo to live paint on JLA concourse
Okay so it's advertising, but I bet this is going to be neat to watch

Retirement? Bob Cole’s not going anywhere any time soon - The Globe and Mail
Long-time voice of Hockey Night In Canada is the kind of guy who thinks Vin Scully got out early at 89

And tomorrow Team Canada takes on Team Finland at 8am EST in pre-4 Nations Cup action. The actual tournament starts Tuesday and games will be streamed live throughout.

From The Branches