Let's focus on the positive:

It's wonderful to see how persistent Matthews is. There he is, batting in not the first or second rebound, but the third, as the goalie fumbles in his control of the puck and sends it straight to Matthews. And Matthews knew exactly what to do with a stray puck on his stick. It's not a pretty goal like his second one, but it shows that he is exactly where he should be, and can pick a careful angle even in a scramble.


Leafs News

Leafs Postgame: Deregulated | TLN
TLN's recap of last night's game.

Toronto Maple Leafs come up empty on road again in falling to Minnesota Wild 3-2 | National Post
"A 3-2 loss to the heavy-handed Minnesota Wild was Toronto’s first regulation loss (1-1-2), though the team did show plenty of life after being psychologically sapped the night before in Winnipeg."

What’s at stake after Jared Cowen’s grievance hearing with the Maple Leafs | Sportsnet
"For Cowen, there is $3-million in salary at stake. That represents somewhere in the neighbourhood of 25 per cent of his career NHL earnings to date – a huge amount given his injury history and diminished future earning potential. For the Leafs, there are serious salary cap ramifications hanging in the balance."

Toronto Maple Leafs: Kapanen Taking Advantage Of Marlies Role | Editor in Leaf
"The 20 year old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect enjoyed his best week of pro hockey, recording five points and taking home the AHL Player of the Week honors last week."

Maple Leafs Holding a Hidden Gem | THW
"Originally a first round pick, 19th overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Rychel has long been a consistent offensive producer who brings a ton of grit to the ice." -- and Dat Cat.

Does your dog need a Maple Leafs sweater? Yes, yes it does. | Newswire
"PetSmart and the Toronto Maple Leafs have entered into a new, three-year collaboration that will bring hockey fans and their furry family members together like never before."

William Nylander's time will not come, for it is already here | TLN
A fan manifesto.

Hockey News

Panthers' Jaromir Jagr becomes third NHL player to reach 750 goals | CBS Sports
"The next milestone on Jagr's list is 1,888 points. That would give him sole possession of second place on the NHL's all-time scoring list. He is currently trailing Mark Messier for that distinction by just 17 points as his 750th goal was also his 1,870th point. There is little doubt he'll get there."

Bruins great Bobby Orr says today's NHL played at too fast a pace | ESPN
"My only concern with the game today is these guys are so big and so fast and we're so open, look at the injuries we have and I've been saying this, and many people get upset with me when I say it, but I think somehow, we've got to slow the game down a little bit, and the only way you can do that is put the center line back in."

Meet The Man Behind The NHL’s Russian Revolution | FiveThirtyEight
"In the 1975-76 season, 98 percent of NHL playing time1 went to North Americans. And although some Europeans chipped away at that figure over the next decade-plus, the league’s rate of outsiders barely budged as the ’90s loomed."

Tampa Bay Lightning named best sports franchise by ESPN's Ultimate Rankings | Me
"ESPN's Ultimate Rankings ranked the Tampa Bay Lightning the best franchise out of 122 teams across all four US sports leagues."

Read the rest of the rankings here | ESPN
Leafs are 118th, up from dead last!

NHL, NHLPA launch program to help players prepare for future | ESPN
"You have a significant number of players that want to [get a college degree], you have a significant number of players that might want to start their own business, that want to be involved with finance, that want to become agents. While they're playing, they have incredible opportunities that other people might not have."

Predictions for the future after last night's game?

From The Branches