The start of the season has the Leafs on quite an odd schedule. I can only think someone planned on the Jays attracting ticket dollars this year and that there was a need to avoid competition. The Leafs visit beautiful Buffalo tonight to play against Jack Eichel and friends. It's the second of a four game "road trip" for the Leafs that will last 16 days, from October 10 to 26.

Perhaps O'Reilly will be distracted tonight knowing that he is due in court tomorrow on the drunk driving charges.

We will have a full preview of tonight's game up at 11:00!

Last night's games

It was a fun, wild, and wacky night in the league.

Crosby finally got his first goal of the season, and Kessel his second; Ovechkin picked up his 900th point.

The Islanders destroyed the Blue Jackets handing them a 7th straight loss. The Islanders practically begged them to score too, taking 5 penalties in the third period, including two sequentially for 'puck over the glass'. How long will they let Todd Richards hang himself?

There were lots of weird plays last night too.

New York Islanders 4, Blue Jackets 0 - The Cannon
Remember when the Leafs started the season with 8 straight losses, and went on to win only 3 of the first 20 games? Columbus is trying to beat that record!

Canadiens vs Blues Top Six Minutes: Price blanks Blues for 7th straight win - Eyes On The Prize
The anti-Columbus

Penguins vs. Panthers game recap; Malkin and Crosby score like old times - PensBurgh
Malkin gets the game winner in OT on an oddball reviewed play. Was it offside? The refs weren't sure, but the War Room said no.

Game 6 Afterwords: Dynamic Duo Does Due Diligence While Niemi Leads Stars to First Place - Defending Big D
The Stars' new goalie and old duo carried the water in a chippy contest as the Stars withstood the Flyers' comeback attempt Tuesday night

Capitals vs. Flames Recap: Smiles and Milestones in Caps Win, 6-2 - Japers' Rink
Ovechkin's 900th career point and 10 different names on the scoresheet make for a very solid road win.

Nashville Predators 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 4 (SO): James Neal Powers Preds Again - On the Forecheck
BOOOO shootout.

Another Overtime Winner: New Jersey Devils Edged Arizona Coyotes 3-2 - All About The Jersey
Only 12,000 people made it out to see this game

Other news

ALCS Game 4: That was depressing - Bluebird Banter
Royals 14 Blue Jays 2 That was less than fun. Far Far less than fun.

Spotted at Game 3 of the ALCS: William Nylander - Pension Plan Puppets
Maybe Snizzbone is their good luck charm?

MLSE boss Tim Leiweke eyes role with David Beckham’s investment group - The Globe and Mail
His role is rumoured to be removing old pictures, humiliating himself by making farcically wrong pronouncements, and buying friendship of celebrities by spending millions of dollars of other people's money.

Coach's challenge controversy heats up after Wings-Habs game- ESPN
Memo goes out to officials after miscommunication over coach's challenge in Red Wings-Canadiens game.

Flames fighting uphill battle against regression - Article - TSN
Yost looks at whether Calgary can avoid returning to their mean level of performance.

From The Branches