Opening Night! The Leafs will get a chance to see the Stanley Cup banner raised as Ron Wilson believes in the power of visualization and wants his players seeing what can be achieved. You've read the previews from the Barilkosphere and the traditional media and the players...well, you might say that for them, tonight's the night. No more rehearsing or nursing a part...

The Leafs right now are more Sylvester, Daffy, and Wile E. than Road Runner, Bugs, and Tweety but those role models will be across the rink for the third time in a week.

As per Sportsnet here is the starting lineup

Alex Ponikarovsky Nik Antropov Jason Blake
Jiri Tlusty Mikhail Grabovski Niklas Hagman
Alex Steen Dominic Moore Nikolai Kulemin
Jamal Mayers Matt Stajan John Mitchel
Tomas Kaberle Luke Schenn
Pavel Kubina Jonas Frogren
Mike Van Ryn Carlo Colaiacovo

Vesa Toskala will of course start in goal as the Leafs begin their Trek to Tavares (Hike for Hedman?) in Detroit eye-to-eye with the franchise that they most want to emulate. The General reports that: Kaberle, Mayers, Kubina, Antropov, Moore are the 5 Assistant Captains. The first 3 wear the A tonight.

After years of being derided as the old men of the NHL the Leafs will be icing ten players under the age of 25 as they play the first game of the second Cliff Fletcher-era. You'll notice that out of everyone I am the last one to put up a season preview and that's because I was busy with a big surprise for everyone here today. I'll try to get it up before the puck drops but I might want until tomorrow.

Just a reminder to register for Pick SPG. The Capitals have a ridiculous horde registered so we should try to at least match them. Make sure that you register with the same user name as your login here and make sure to make your picks before the cut-off time! Keep in mind that I have to approve you for the league so register as soon as possible.

Finally, while we wait for the game thread, what do you guys think of that lineup? Any surprises? Shocks?