It’s already the last day of January. Time is flying by with only three weeks left until the trade deadline and about 30 games left for most teams. The Leafs have 31 to go, including tonight’s game versus the Islanders.

The last Leafs game was against the Stars whom you may recall were embarrassed on their home ice, losing 4-1.

We’ll post a preview of tonight’s game later this morning, including any updated line changes (like Nikita Soshnikov playing forward instead of defence).

Leafs' workhorse defenceman Zaitsev back at practice - TSN
“[Stickhandling] was really hard. The first two days I was pretty mad,” he said. “But now, when you start practising with the team, it’s all coming back fast.”

ICYMI

2018 NHL Trade Deadline: How does it all work - Katya
It seems simple, until all these weird rules crop up you’ve forgotten about since last year.

Narratives and Random Number Generators - Arvind
Ordering and it’s impact on how we view our team.

Solar Bears Roundup: late January action - Paul Sisung
Mixed results haunt the team after the All-Star break.

Other News

The Senators are imploding. They are now skating with six losses in a row and sit second to last in the Eastern Conference, only one win ahead of the lowly Sabres. I am bringing this up mostly as an excuse to post this GIF.

View post on imgur.com

Speaking of terrible teams...

Oilers now focusing on returning to form, not playoffs - Sportsnet
“We’re going to make the playoffs.” Cam Talbot looks you right in the eye as he says it. [Species: LOLOILERS!]

An unabashed, unapologetic love letter to Brock Boeser - Nucks Misconduct
From a married father of two… I know it’s weird.

Gionta to skate with Amerks in Olympic tune-up - TheAHL.com
[SPECIES: Keep him away from the goalies!]

Bell Let’s Talk starts the conversation about mental health – Northeast Valley News
Mental health and illness is still a stigmatized issue all around the world, but with Bell Let’s Talk, one of Canada’s largest communications companies are trying to get mental health help to places that may never have had the chance to receive it.

From The Branches