Zero more sleeps until hockey! That's right - the shortened season kicks off today, and the schedule is set for "all-the-hockey-you-can-drink-from-a-fire-hose:"

At 3, Pittsburgh at Philidelphia, Ottawa at Winnipeg, and Chicago at LA.

At 7, Leafs at Canadiens, Rangers at Boston, Devils at Islanders, and Caps at Lightning. Carolina-Florida is off set for 7:30

At 8, Detroit at St Louis, Columbus at Nashville, and Phoenix at Dallas play.

Colorado-Minnesota are playing at 9 and Anaheim-Vancouver is closing your night out at 10PM. (All EST, of course.)

The teams are ready soooooo let's play hockey!

-------

Your pre-hockey links for today:

Sunk Costs and Sports Personnel Decisions
Why do GMs hold off on buyouts?

Get ready to watch some truly ugly NHL hockey (Trending Topics)
Maybe having players 14 active during the lockout will help the Leafs

Blackhawks owner: "I don't think the owners or the players should have to apologize" for the NHL lockout
Shorter Rocky Wirtz: "Unions suck and I'm a liar about our profitability"

Worst to First Jerseys: The Toronto Maple Leafs | The LeafsNation
John van der Woude ranks the Leafs' sweaters by era.

2013 Maple Leafs "Stars and Goats"
TLN writers pick one star and one goat for the upcoming season

Vintage Leafs: Randy Carlyle on Defence
There's a series of new pictures up at Vintage Leafs. Go check them out.

Alex Edler Signs 6 Year Extension
Gillis is really good at extensions. Probably not hard to do when you're in the middle of a cup window. Still the guy who traded for Ballard.

Here are 113 things that changed in the NHL since we last dropped the puck (VIDEO)
The only thing you need to catch up on what we forgot

Motley crew will play important roles for Leafs
Toronto hopes former Marlies will be hungry to stay on the team

MLHS Bloggers Predict the Leafs’ finish
Some surprising reality here.

Since he hasn't signed yet - Career alternatives for P.K. Subban
What else could Subban do if the Habs aren't going to be bothered to sign him?

From The Branches