They had to lay an egg sooner or later, right? Last night’s game was regrettable, but it’s over now, so we can stop thinking about the Devils scoring shorthanded on a 5-on-3 and laughing to keep the tears away. Instead, we can turn our attention to Saturday vs. the Habs (will Seldo finally get to put up his Leafs flag? Will this be the game?).

Seriously, stop thinking about that 5-on-3 shortie. It’s simply not good for your health to dwell on things like that. I recommend meditation, or wine, or throwing heavy objects.

ICYMI

Devils 6 - Leafs 3: Parade Planning Temporarily Halted - Pension Plan Puppets
The Buds suffer their first loss of the season

Women’s Hockey Wednesday links: NWHL deal with the New Jersey Devils - Pension Plan Puppets
USA vs Canada schedule, CWHL opening weekend and stores from WGIHW

Stuff We Didn’t Write

What can help Devils' No. 1 pick Nico Hischier make NHL transition? Auston Matthews says ... | NJ.com
Advice for Nico Hischier from No Longer A Teenager And Definitely Now A Real Adult Auston Matthews.

Mitch Marner: 'Wildflower' Calvin Pickard will help Leafs - Sportsnet.ca
Mitch Marner views Calvin Pickard as an NHL goaltender even though the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most recent trade acquisition is starting with Toronto’s AHL affiliate.

Debunking the myth of Sylvain Lefebvre’s AHL teams’ penalty problems - Eyes On The Prize
The Canadiens’ AHL team seems to play short-handed a lot. But that is far from a unique situation in the AHL.

Jeff Gorton Should Kick The Tires on Vadim Shipachyov - Blueshirt Banter
It hasn’t even been a week since the Rangers opened the 2017-18 season, but the Filip Chytil on Broadway experiment appears to be over.

Trade, re-sign or play overseas: Decision coming soon for Athanasiou and Red Wings | The Hockey News
One week into the season, Andreas Athanasiou and the Detroit Red Wings aren't any further along in their contract stalemate, but the situation could come to a conclusion soon.

Bonus Cuteness

Watch this video of the USWNT surprising a group of Snider Hockey girls with a trip to Boston to watch Team USA play Team Canada. Content warning for giggling, excited shrieking, and extreme adorableness.

From The Branches