Tonight is game #2 for the Leafs, and it's the first Hockey Night in Canada match of the season. It will feature the classic rivalry of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. the... (checks notes) Minnesota Wild?

Huh. OK. Well it's the Wild in town for the first Saturday night game of the season; that team no one in the east remembers much about, but one thing I do know is they have Marc-André Fleury as one of their goalies! Yes, the soon to be 39-year-old who has been in the NHL for 20 years now is one the Wild's two goalies. It doesn't look like he will start though, but it would be fun to look up when was his last ever game in Toronto. I found his first game here, and it includes a goal by Aki Berg (!) and the roster has the father of one current Leafs player.

Pittsburgh Penguins - Toronto Maple Leafs - Nov 4, 2003 | NHL.com
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Reporters have confirmed that Ilya Samsonov will start again tonight. We'll have our preview of the game out later this morning.

The Marlies play their first game of the season tonight at the Coliseum against the Rochester Americans. You can stream this game for free on AHLTV.com

In prospects news Easton Cowan had a great night for the London Knights.

Other News

Connor Bedard is pulling in big numbers.

Record audience for Bedard’s NHL debut
The debut of Blackhawks #1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard set multiple NHL viewership records Tuesday night.
Sports Media WatchJon Lewis

Hockey Canada has named its World Juniors coaching staff

Hockey Canada names Alan Letang as head coach for 2024 men’s world juniors | CBC Sports
Alan Letang has been named as Canada’s head coach for the 2024 world junior hockey championship. Hockey Canada announced its coaching staff Friday in a release.
CBC

An enterprising individual has set up a new service outside the Minnesota Wild's arena. I have several questions about this venture, like couldn't you just walk away and not return the jersey?

Someone got in touch with the business owner and got some answers. He keeps your credit card on file to charge you the full price if it's not returned in "mint condition."

I would definitely be the one who accidentally spills something all over it and gets dinged the $150 return fee.

From The Branches