The Marlies were in Syracuse last night to face the Crunch and lost the game 3-1. Dennis Hildeby started in net and was pulled 3:55 into the game after already letting in two goals. Artur Akhtyamov played out the rest.

The loss caused a major shakeup in the North Division standings, with the team dropping down two spots. By points %, they are now fifth place in the division, putting the team in that risky play-in round of the playoffs.

That could reverse today though as the team faces the Crunch again, this time here at the Coliseum at 4:00 p.m.. The Marlies then have another huge home-away series against the Cleveland Monsters next weekend, the other team chasing them for playoff position; they beat the Scranton Penguins 7-1 last night.

All three games are critical to win, or really, all six remaining games are critical to win if they want home-ice in whichever round they start the playoffs.

There was one milestone moment during last night's game for Cade Webber.

The Leafs have now clinched a playoff spot, but holding home-ice advantage and first place in the division would be a nice-to-have item, and that starts with a win tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team with that turncoat JvR!

We'll have a preview of tonight's Leafs game out sometime after morning skate.

Other News

Many of the Leafs prospects are in the playoffs now, and Brian gave me an update on the ones in the CHL:

Eliminated: Sam McCue/Flint
Advanced: Easton Cowan/London, Noah Chadwick/Lethbridge
Up: Nathan Mayes/Spokane (3-1), Miroslav Holinka/Edmonton (3-2), Ben Danford/Oshawa (3-2)
Down: Borya Valis/Prince George (2-3)

Also an OT winner for one in Sweden.

Mitch Marner focused on team success, not contract: ‘I’m here to just play hockey’ | TSN
While the possibility reaching unrestricted free agency on July 1 continues to linger, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner says he’s keeping his focus on the here and now.
TSNTSN.ca Staff
‘Some tough goodbyes’: Minten will never forget Leafs experience - Video - TSN
The Leafs traded top prospect Fraser Minten to the Bruins on deadline day.
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Enjoy your rainy Saturday! The new St. Lawrence North Market building finally opens for the Saturday farmer's market today (actually it's already open as of 5:00 a.m. while we were all still sleeping).

From The Branches