The Toronto Maple Leafs got their third win of the season with a 3-1 victory of the Winnipeg Jets. Some will say the Leafs played a great defensive game, others will say the Jets were just really bad, and the two people who still believe in Frederik Andersen will say he played a big part in the win.

Most likely all of you are wrong. And right.

The Leafs played a strong game that kept the Jets away from the middle of the ice, all seven defensemen were used in a good way that maximized their potential. I saw Dermott with Rielly, Bogosian with Brodie and Muzzin, and Holl with Lehtonen as really good uses of the extra man. All three lines looked dangerous — Zach Hyman especially stood out as he created a lot of chances I didn’t think was possible for that version of the third line. Tavares was great, Nylander seemed to love globetrotting everyone on his bonus shifts with the fourth line, as was Matthews and Marner. Andersen was Steady Freddy and had to be spectacular when called upon. He beat Hellebuyck, who looked so tired of this shit. The team worked, I hope we see it again on a consistent basis.

Oh and speaking of Marner, the end of the game was some classic OHL shit. After scoring on the empty net, Marner spun Pionk off into the boards like he’s done it to salty teenagers his whole life. Serious, I bet he’s been run like that hundreds, if not thousands, of times in his career.

The sneering after was also right on point. On the ice and off.

Various Hockey Branches

Here is the recap from the game with highlights and thoughts. | by: Brigstew and Omar

There was a lot of roster shenanigans. Long story short: Aaron Dellvils. | by: Katya

The Leafs roster is an exercise in the least-worst option. | by: Katya

Wayne Simmonds on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the need to be anti-racist. | by: TSN

Just FYI, it took hockey 20 more years to break the colour barrier.

“In 1938, it was alleged that the founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Conn Smythe said that he would give anyone $10,000.00 if they could turn Herb Carnegie white and that he would take him ‘tomorrow’ if they could do so...”

INCLUDE Dr. Herbert H. Carnegie in the Hockey Hall of Fame | Sign the Petition
Black History Month Acts of Service with BGHC

Alexander Georgiev speaks up.

Nick Robertson will be out for four weeks.

Unsigned Marlies prospect Riley Woods has signed with the Utah Grizzlies (COL) where a fair number of contracted Growlers players are spending the season. I think this bodes well for his return to the organization.

From The Branches