Thursday’s FTB: Game day in Toronto

It’s Game Four Day in Toronto, and the Leafs are looking to even the series against Boston. To occupy you until then, some things to watch and read. Last night the Preds, the Lightning and the Penguins went up 3-1 in their series, and San Jose swept the Ducks in four games. Poor Randy.

First check out this great Sportsnet feature on linesman Shandor Alphonso

Our Stuff

How the Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins in Game Three - Pension Plan Puppets
Was it all about Tomas Plekanec, or was there something more to the win over Boston?

Patrick Marleau is climbing the all-time playoff points list - Pension Plan Puppets
His goals in the Monday night Leafs victory over the Boston Bruins tied him with Steve Yzerman at 70.

The Toronto Marlies are finally done with the Senators and the Rocket - Pension Plan Puppets
The Marlies finished their regular season with three wins in three days.

Toronto Marlies playoff roster and schedule is set - Pension Plan Puppets
The first game against the Utica Comets is Saturday afternoon.

Their Stuff

Goodbye, Randy!

Sharks vs. Ducks Game 4 recap, score: Sharks sweep series, will face Golden Knights - Fear The Fin
Hockey is basically golf anyway, right?

Ducks @ Sharks GAME 4 RECAP: Pulling the Band-Aid Off - Anaheim Calling
Old Time Hockey is Dead. Long Live New School Hockey.

Selke Trophy 2018: Flyers center Sean Couturier announced as a finalist for the NHL’s best two-way forward award - Broad Street Hockey
Flyers’ pivot one of three finalist for the annual award.

Penguins/Flyers Game 4 Recap: Crosby and Pens humiliate lifeless Philly team, city - PensBurgh
See all the highlights from a good Pens team and a bad Flyers one.

Flyers vs. Penguins recap, score: Pittsburgh takes 3-1 series lead with another dominant performance - Broad Street Hockey
It’s all over but the crying, folks. (We’re crying.)

Josh Morrissey suspended one game; will miss game five - Arctic Ice Hockey
The punishment fits the crime.

Will there be a suspension for Kucherov?

The principal point of contact does look like the head, from all of the angles, though they unfortunately don’t have one facing them directly.

Leafs Stuff

Emotions, execution put Solar Bears in drivers seat | Pro Hockey News
The pressure was intense and with just over two seconds left on the clock, Solar Bears defenseman Alex Gudbranson dove to snuff out a Stingrays shot that Heeter may or may not have been able to get to. As the horn sounded, both Heeter and Gudbranson got up off the ice, looked at each other and high-fived before skating off to the locker room

Mike Babcock on the Auston Matthews line: "That line can get to a whole other level for us" | Maple Leafs Hotstove
Mike Babcock addressed the media after practice on Wednesday, discussing Tomas Plekanec’s new role, Mitch Marner’s play in the series, Kasperi Kapanen’s contributions, the challenge ahead in Game 4, and much more.

Joe Thornton is a better match for the Leafs
A couple weeks ago, I threw myself into the fire by saying that the Leafs and John Tavares, despite the fact that it seems like destiny, simply aren't a match. I got sewered online for it, then asked good twitter dude Totally Offside! to consolidate how wrong I was into an article so everybody could laugh at me.

[I am enjoying Leafs fans starting to shop for new guys while the playoffs are still on.]

More of a trivia question today, this is from NST, and is Score and Venue Adjusted, and no cheating until you pick. Who leads the Leafs in SC and HDSC percentage? (Tyler Bozak leads the team in CF%, if you want another good one to mull over.)

Which Leafs player leads the team in Scoring Chances and High-Danger Chances percentage?