That was a fun game. Let’s face it, we were all worried the Leafs would outshoot the Ducks 80-2 and still lose 1-0 in a shootout or something.

Instead, the Leafs curb stomped Randy Carlyle’s Ducks 6-1. Gibson was pulled after letting in 5+ goals for the third straight game, and it seems like he was none to happy about it.

They’ve been on a horrific losing slump of late, and when the one good thing they’ve had going for them (John Gibson) is starting to do poorly and be pissed off. They’ve gone from pretty solidly in a playoff spot to 3rd last in the conference (albeit three points out of the final wild card spot). That’s a bad recipe for staying employed.

Thanks Jake Muzzin! He had himself a game. He took out Perry with a big hit, which will always warm the fires of my vengeful heart. He had three points, he scored a powerplay goal after drawing a penalty and it led to this masterpiece.

It was a great night all around for good moments. You had Morgan Rielly’ sassing the refs....

You had Zach Hyman breaking ankles...

You had William Nylander getting the monkey off his back with a beautiful shot, and getting an assist on a great pass to Connor Brown. You had Andreas Johnsson racking up points on the fourth line. Even Gauthier looking like he has an offensive bone in his body!

The Leafs are fun again.

First and most importantly of all...

Clearly the key to Nylander’s recent surge in production.

Jake Muzzin gets his first goal as a Leaf | by Katya

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect report: Hollowell’s hat trick, Woll for Hobey Baker | by Elseldo

Marlies Recap: A 3-0 win Saturday against the Rocket | by Species, and don’t look now but the Marlies are up to third in their division and are about to get more blueline help with Marincin set to join them after clearing waivers, and hopefully Liljegren and Sandin aren’t too far behind.

The complete Maple Leafs prospect rankings, February 2019 edition | by Scort Wheeler

Bob McKenzie went into the contract situations of a bunch of the Leafs’ pending free agents.

AROUND THE NHL

There was a scary moment in the Flyers-Canucks game, as Alex Edler fell hard to the ice.

It got worse for the Canucks, as they had to do an emergency recall of Michael DiPietro from the WHL to fill in for Thatcher Demko.

Meanwhile, on the other side of that game, Carter Hart and the Philadelphia Flyers are on a hell of a run and have clawed their way back onto the fringes of the playoff conversation.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

From The Branches