The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Detroit Red Wings (you can read our recap here). That’s bad.

The Leafs are still tied for 2nd in the conference (with like 4 other teams who have played fewer games mind you). That’s good.

The Leafs have lost three straight games. That’s bad.

The Leafs are NOT the Ottawa Senators with Eugene “hold my beer, Calgary” Melnyk. That’s good.

The Leafs have been without Auston Matthews, maybe because of a concussion. That’s bad.

Auston Matthews is still a Leaf. That’s good.

But his head might be laced with potassium benzoate.

ONTO THE LINKS!

Speaking of the Leafs losing streak wherein they have scored 3 goals over 3 games: we PPP bloggers met to share our best ideas for how to optimize the Leafs’ forward lines.

Elseldo continues his count down of the best Leafs by jersey number: Maple Leafs by the Numbers: #4 Red Kelly, Hap Day, or Harry Watson?

Nafio wrote a preview of the best Women’s international hockey showdown: Western showdown: Canada vs USA game five

Speaking of the Marlies winning again last night: Kevin wrote a quick scouting report on some key Marlies prospects.

Gus Katsaros wrote a piece about the Leafs’ recent change in play style, from up-tempo offensive juggernaut to slowed-down defensive jugger-NOT. He’s one of my favourite hockey analysts/scouts out there, and this is worth a read.

If you like Justin Bourne’s systems analyst style posts, he has a new one up breaking down the Flyers’ game winning goal against the Leafs a couple of games ago.

It’s Saturday. I have three Christmas events to attend over the next two days, two weeks before Christmas itself. God help me...

Happy weekend everybody!

Who’s to blame for the Leafs’ losing streak?

Rielly, for knocking out Matthews55
Komarov, for having zero points and one shot in 5 games despite having the 2nd most ice time among forwards39
Babcock, for doing that second thing177
Millennials, because they didn’t buy a house with McDonalds wraps or something56
From The Branches