Fresh off the receiving end of an Auston Matthews OT special, the Blackhawks were in a feisty mood last night, and decided to vent their frustrations on the hapless Canadiens.

Those watching the game saw lots of empty seats—and then even more when the Habs started losing badly—as less than a full house of Habs fans paid to attend. Those that did pay probably regret it, considering the Habs got spanked, and also because it’s the Habs and who wants to see them, amirite?

They didn’t even play their terrible goal song!

Those that braved the coverage on TSN didn’t get to see the four hour opening ceremony!

Listen, Habs fans, they can’t start the broadcast four hours in advance to capture the whole ceremony. They have more important things to show on TSN, like professional darts, and Toronto Raptors pre-season basketball!

Anyway, on to the news from a real hockey city.

The Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7:30PM EDT. Our game preview will be up later this morning when lines from practice are confirmed.

In Marlies news, Frederik Gauthier has officially joined the team, which implies he has sufficiently recovered from his injury to start practicing, or at least working out under the direction of the team.

ICYMI

Markham Thunder 2017-18 CWHL season preview - Nafio
Can Jamie Lee Rattray lead her team to victory?

Checking the eye-test: A journey through the Kadri line’s results - Katya
I wanted to check to see if what I saw was real. And then I had to do it again when I was looking at the numbers.

Other News

Quenneville calls faceoff violation enforcement an ‘epidemic’ - The Globe and Mail
The NHL is more strictly enforcing rules surrounding faceoffs, citing player safety and the integrity of the game.

How J.T Brown’s protest reveals the worst of the NHL’s racist bias - Five For Howling
Tampa’s JT Brown becomes the first NHL player to join his NFL brethrens protest - and in the process shines a light on the sport’s political and moral hypocrisy.

Q&A with Predators new rink-side reporter Kara Hammer - On the Forecheck
Hammer explains how she rose through the ranks to her new position with FOX Sports.

Is Peter Forsberg right about Matt Duchene? - Mile High Hockey
Foppa had a lot to say about the displeased forward.

Who’s The Odd Man Out When Jagr Is Ready? - Matchsticks and Gasoline
In the not so distant future Jaromir Jagr will be ready to hit the ice, but someone is getting the boot when he does. Who?

AHL awards expansion membership to Colorado Eagles - TheAHL.com
The Eagles will be the new primary development affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche when they begin play in October 2018.

Yikes!

From The Branches