The Toronto Maple Leafs began the John Tavares captaincy with a win over the Ottawa Senators last night. As great as that feeling is, it also featured two Leafs rookies getting their first points in the NHL.

First, Dmytro Timashov got an assist on Frederik Gauthier’s goal:

Then Ilya Mikheyev and Rasmus sandin got their first points as they assisted Trevor Moore; I guess they’ll have to cut that puck in half.

Finally, as the Leafs were up 4-2 Tyson Barrie set up Mikheyev for his first ever NHL goal:

And Auston Matthews had two goals as well, but he always does that.

Your full recap can be read here.

Of course, not all the news from yesterday was good.

Here’s what you may have missed yesterday:

Toronto Maple Leafs name John Tavares Captain

My captain count is correct. The Maple Leafs declaration of Tavares as the 25th captain is not.

Maple Leafs to send Timothy Liljegren to the Marlies

Lilypad didn’t even make it through one game before being sent down.

PPP Roundtable: We are ready for this season to start
The annual PPPredictions post

Our usual season predictions.

WHW: From learning to play to building a Dream

Also, another great Women’s Hockey Wednesday came out.

And then there’s all that other NHL season opening news.

Hockey Factories: Which major junior team has produced the most NHL talent in the post-lockout era? - TheHockeyNews

The answer will not surprise you.

The Best 2019-20 NHL Game-Night Giveaway Items - Puck Junk

This stuff is my jam.

Report: Rangers will not name a captain this season

Come on New York, all the cool teams are doing it.

All Roads to Lord Stanley Go Through the Atlantic: Predicting the Toughest Division in Hockey

Centre of Leafs Nation tries to predict the future.

Sound Bites with Mike: Sentiment Analysis of Mike Babcock’s Post-Game Pressers

This is a little old, but it’s still worth a read.

Also there were non-Maple Leafs games last night but whatever.

Enjoy the day!

From The Branches