Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!


Two weeks after a 4-2 loss in Detroit, the Maple Leafs returned to the Hot 'n Ready Arena to exact some vengeance upon the Red Wings, and boy did they ever.

Leafs beat Detroit with a burst of offence in the first period
Then they showed how their low-event style works when holding a lead.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

With David Kämpf playing in his 500th career game, and Mitch Marner scoring a natural hat trick, the Leafs motored out of Detroit with a 5-2 victory and head home to face the Washington Capitals tonight.

It was a disappointing night for the new Red Wings head coach.

Red Wings fire head coach Derek Lalonde, Todd McLellan takes over
The Detroit Red Wings have fired head coach Derek Lalonde and will replace him with former Kings bench boss Todd McLellan, the team announced Thursday.
Sportsnet.caAssociated Press

The other team with a Maple Leaf in their chest also played last night, but the result wasn't as pretty. Last year the Canadians defeated Latvia 10-0, but this year Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs made 54 saves to keep the tiny country alive in the game, before Eriks Mateiko scored the upset making goal.

Latvia stuns Canada with shootout win at World Juniors | TSN
Eriks Mateiko scored the shootout winner as Latvia beat Canada 3-2 in their Group A matchup at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. It’s Latvia’s first-ever win against Canada in the history of this tournament.
TSNThe Canadian Press

Canada will take today off, and face Germany on Sunday.

Todays World Juniors schedule:

Czechia vs Kazakhstan at 1PM
USA vs Latvia at 3:30PM

The loss on the scoreboard wasn't the only loss Canada had.

Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Matthew Schaefer leaves Canada’s World Junior game against Latvia with injury
Schaefer exited the game versus Latvia in the first period after colliding with the Latvian goal post at full speed.
Daily FaceoffColton Davies
Thousands of hockey players descend on Winnipeg for annual holiday competition
Around 2,500 players, 170 teams, and a few Winnipeg Jets have taken over the Hockey for All Centre to mark an annual tournament over the holidays.
Winnipeg

170 teams are participating in the Winnipeg Jets Challenge Cup, spending the holidays getting to know teams from all over Canada.

Will the Maple Leafs look for another former Cup winner to enhance their line up at centre?

Would Maple Leafs Acquire Veteran Kraken Center? The Answer Is Yes -- And Here’s Why
The Seattle Kraken are likely to part ways with a Stanley Cup-winning center. And Adam Proteau says the Toronto Maple Leafs make a lot of sense to acquire the veteran pivot.
Yahoo SportsAdam Proteau

There are too many forwards in Edmonton. What will they ever do? Not win the cup again.

Oilers Face Tough Choices as They Solve Surplus Forward Issue
The Edmonton Oilers are starting to get access to their surplus of forwards, which poses problems when it comes to determining who’s out.
NHL Trade TalkJim Parsons

The Colorado Avalanche have settled on a goalie for the next five years.

Mackenzie Blackwood signs five-year extension
The goaltender of the future is here.
Mile High HockeyEvan Liu

'Tis the season for charity tournaments.

Hockey For Hospice tourney hits Essex County arenas for 28th year
Hockey For Hospice tourney hits Essex County arenas for 28th year.
Windsor StarMillar Holmes-Hill

Finally, the PWHL is returning to action this weekend.

Five Things To Watch As The PWHL Returns From The Holiday Break
The puck is about to drop following the PWHL’s holiday break. Here are five things to watch as play resumes this week.
Yahoo SportsIan Kennedy

The Scepters defeated the Boston Fleet 4-2 in their first game back.

Raygan Kirk backstops Sceptres to win over Fleet
Blayre Turnbull and Jess Kondas scored their first goals of the season to lift the Toronto Sceptres to a 4-2 win against the Boston Fleet on Friday.
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches