Recently, there is plenty of talk in support of our dear friend Jonas Gustavsson. Although I am among the greatest skeptics of The Monster's ability to remain a decent option for the Leafs in goal, numbers don't lie:

Even in the organization, few saw this coming, but Gustavsson has since posted a .922 save percentage and won eight of his past 10 starts, taking over the No. 1 role heading into Toronto’s meeting with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Head on over to the Globe and Mail, where James Mirtle has the full story.

Plenty of links today. Hope you enjoy.

Leafs Links:

Why not Gustavsson?
Well, I've already explained why I think not. Cam Charron has his say at The Leafs Nation.

At the mid-way point, here’s what we know—and don’t know—about the Leafs
From Michael Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories.

Nation Radio
I'm back on this week on Section 2 chatting about the Leafs' D, although technical difficulties cut the interview short. From The Leafs Nation.

Springing Malik: The Pain Game 2011/12 - Part Three
I love these charts. This fine gentleman puts together charts that show man games lost to injury, sorted by cap hit. As of the end of December the Leafs have lost the 3rd most cap hit time due to injury.

Marlies Hot & Cold: January 2nd-8th
The latest from the farm via Kyle Cicerella.

Leafs Week In Preview
From Andrew Bates at the Silver Fox.

Other Hackey Links:

Devils’ social hub starts to pay off
This is an interesting little tidbit from Fred Dreier at Sports Business Journal. Glove tap to Puck the Media for this one.

Marchand diary: On Canucks, critics
Brad Marchand has been dictating his thoughts to ESPN. Oh boy.

Ducks’ Jacques suspended three games for elbowing Jackets' Umberger
From the CP at the Globe.

NHL suspends Bruins’ Marchand five games for 'clipping' Salo
Most of you probably saw this already. Even if you didn't, you probably heard the weeping coming from Boston. From the CP at the Globe.

Here come the Los Angeles Kings
By Cam Charron at Backhand Shelf.

It finally happened: Columbus fired Scott Arniel
Just in case some of you folk haven't seen this yet. From JB at BS.

Hockey and Homework
An interview with Zach, a gay hockey player, over at Puck Buddies.

From The Branches