Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

It's Saturday, March break is ending in Ontario, and for someone who works at the border it has been non-stop activity and cuts into my blogging at work time.

But I'm here for you no matter how long the lines get, so before we hit the links let's take a look at the historical Leafs vs Hurricanes, the current preview will be out later today.

The Maple Leafs and Whalers/Hurricanes have played 131 games against each other.

The Maple Leafs W-L-T-OTL record is 51-62-11-7.

There is a negative goal differential of -47 all time with 410 goals for and 457 goals against.

At home the Leafs are 27-33-5-2 against the Hurricanes, with a -13 goal differential (212GF vs 225GA).

John Tavares has scored the most against Carolina out of these Maple Leafs, in 46 games he has scored 28 goals, added 26 assists for 54 points.

Those 28 goals are second most against Carolina among active players, behind Alex Ovechkin who has 47.

In the playoffs the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes have only faced off once, in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals. They would lose in six games, but thankfully the Hurricanes would lose the Stanley Cup Final to the Detroit Red Wings.

So far this season the Leafs lost to Carolina 3-2 at home on December 30th. They head down to Carolina on the 24th for the final game between these two.

So that's a bit of a summary for you, couldn't much head to head skater data, but the overall was of it does well.

Here are some discussion links and we'll see you on the game day thread.

Prospect playoffs are happening, here's something from the NCAA:

Easton Cowan is still getting on the scoresheet, 33 games in a row.

We just got Calle Jarnkrok back and now he's gone again.

Maple Leafs’ Jarnkrok to miss time after crashing into boards
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok was forced to leave Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers after crashing into the boards.
Sportsnet| March 14, 2024, 9:30 PM

John Tavares went back to a team he left, and wasn't booed relentlessly.

https://dailyhive.com/toronto/leafs-tavares-oshawa-generals-ceremony

The NHLPA won't grieve Corey Perry's contract termination.

NHL, NHLPA reach resolution over the Chicago Blackhawks’ termination of Corey Perry’s contract | TSN
The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association have settled the matter regarding the termination of Corey Perry’s contract by the Chicago Blackhawks. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston says that ultimately no grievance was filed.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

Canada has its GM for upcoming real and fake tournaments.

Hockey Canada names Blues’ Doug Armstrong as GM for Olympics, Four Nations Face-Off
Armstrong won a Stanley Cup as GM of the Blues in 2019
CBSSports.comAustin Nivison

Nunavut won the bronze medals at the Arctic games but did not accept them.

Nunavut hockey team declines bronze medals over ‘inappropriate’ actions of players
Team Nunavut’s under-18 male hockey team players did not accept the bronze medals they won Thursday at the Arctic Winter Games. Nunavut defeated Team Yukon 6-2 to earn the third-place finish.
Nunatsiaq NewsNunatsiaq News

Detroit? Pittsburgh? Who's next?

Pro Women’s Hockey League explores new markets with neutral site games in Detroit and Pittsburgh
Boston defenceman Megan Keller can already foresee the potential for expansion with the Professional Women’s Hockey League holding neutral site games in Pittsburgh and Detroit this weekend. It’s not a matter of if, Keller believes, but when for the first-year, six-team league. “I think it’s inevitable,” she said during a PWHL video conference call this week. “There’s so much room for growth in women’s hockey, and especially at the professional level,” added Keller, who grew up outside of Detroit
Yahoo SportsThe Canadian Press

Finally, the University of New Brunswick men's hockey team is looking to end the year with a perfect season and a 10th championship.

Committed to improvement, UNB men’s hockey team aims for golden end to perfect season | CBC Sports
The UNB Reds men’s hockey team hasn’t lost a game in over a year, and is looking to complete a perfect season when they take on the 2024 U Sports men’s hockey championship in Toronto.
CBCBen Steiner

Enjoy your day!

From The Branches