FTB: Matthews is injured, Leafs lose, it's all going well

Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Or, as good as it can be following a loss.

Leafs give away the first period and ultimately the game to the Islanders

Not a good game.

PPP LeafsCathy Squires

Auston Matthews missed the game to rest a lingering injury, and uh, I don't like hearing that. I like him resting but we don't need him having a lingering injury, especially when he's already going to be playing extra games this season in the NHL's fake world championship.

Quick Shifts: Maple Leafs fighting for Auston Matthews’ health

Auston Matthews needs another break | What’s behind Morgan Rielly’s season? | Patrick Kane looks in the mirror | Kaapo Kakko trade a long time comin’ + 8 more NHL goodies…

Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

So, if he had to miss last night's game, I say sit him until a game or two before the stupid tournament, so he can warm up there and not reinjure himself in meaningless games a couple months before the playoffs.

We need everyone healthy for April, not January. Sorry kids at the Next Gen game. Time to learn lessons in disappointment. You'll need them as Leafs fans.

Elsewhere, Easton Cowan is showing off his skills for Team Canada.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan provides Team Canada with more than offence

Team Canada Easton Cowan

Ottawa CitizenDon Brennan

Hell yeah, turn the Canucks against each other.

Canucks’ Pettersson addresses rumoured rift with Miller

If the whispers of tension within the Vancouver Canucks’ locker room are, in fact, true, Elias Pettersson isn’t going to give that away with his words.

Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Matt Rempe is looking at a few games suspension coming up. Just to add to the Rangers woes this season.

Matt Rempe Offered In-Person Hearing for Heiskanen Hit

News broke much earlier today, it is the holiday season so pardon our tardiness, that Matt Rempe will have an in-person hearing following his high hit on Miro Heiskanen. Rempe of Rangers to have in-person hearing with NHL Player Safety | NHL.comForward facing discipline for boarding, elbowing against Stars defenseman

Blueshirt BanterTom Urtz Jr.

John Klingburg wants to come back to the NHL. Does anyone want him? Not you, Brad.

John Klingberg Hoping To Resume NHL Career

After missing over a year due to hip surgery, John Klingberg isn’t ready to hang up his skates. Read more on Pro Hockey Rumors.

Pro Hockey RumorsJosh Erickson

The OHL wants to expand, but USA Hockey won't let their teams in on the fun.

USA Hockey denies OHL permission to add two USHL teams

The OHL approved an aggressive expansion plan earlier this season, but it appears one of the league’s ideas on that front has hit a hurdle.

Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Anyone in Ontario can play hockey anywhere once they're over 10. Will we start to see more recruiting wars over children?

OHF makes several regulation changes, including enhanced player movement and tampering

On Tuesday the Ontario Hockey Federation announced six changes to its player movement regulations.

Sault StarGordon Anderson

Another day, another crazy goalie save.

Finally, congratulations to Madyson Hemlin on being named player of the year!

Our Field Hockey Player of the Year was ‘super dependable’ on and off the field

This Narragansett senior is The Gardner News Field Hockey Player of the Year for her impressive contributions this season.

Yahoo SportsCait Kemp, The Gardner News

...in the wrong hockey. Dang it.

Enjoy your day everyone!