The Maple Leafs started their tour of the Southwestern US last night out by the Rockies in Denver, defeating the Avalanche pretty decisively. The win came after a loss to the Rangers Sunday, but a win against the Canadiens on Saturday.

Recap: Maple Leafs power through the Avalanche, win 5-2

I confess, I didn’t watch this game live. At about 7:30 p.m. I decided to be smart and take a 90 minute power nap so I could stay up late and watch the game live. I set my alarm clock and everything.

I woke up about five hours later at 12:30 a.m.

It was the a.m./p.m. I set the alarm for 9:00 a.m. not 9:00 p.m. It will go off this morning and I will laugh and or cry depending on how tired I am at my lack of alarm competence. Meanwhile, the Leafs will get ready to play tomorrow night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights. It’s a 10:00 p.m. EST start, folks. Get some sleep tonight!

ICYMI

The three game Canada-USA Rivalry series starts tonight. These should be great games. These teams love to one-up each other for every chance at bragging rights they can get.

Canada vs USA: How to watch the Rivalry Series
WHW: USA beats Canada 1-0 in Rivalry Series

The Marlies are also in action on a road trip tonight. They will play the Wolf Pack (New York Rangers affiliates) in Hartford to start a quick swing through the AHL Atlantic Division. They will finish it off with games later this week against the Providence Bruins and the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Marlies will be back for a game against the Belleville Senators on Family Day Monday at Scotiabank Arena.

Other News

Michael Ferland is a name being talked up a lot lately by certain PPP Staff. Here’s a look at what he can do. Also: LOLSNES — they lost 4-1.

I can’t imagine what it is like to get trucked like this by Dustin Byfuglien. Also this clip is fun as you can hear the players yelling at each other from the bench.

NHL suspends Evgeni Malkin one game for high-sticking - PensBurgh
“This is an intentional stick swing directed at an opponent with force at a dangerous height for the purposes of retaliation.”
[Species: Well that sure sounds like the description of an act that should have only a one game suspension.]

Let’s end with a happy note. Since we are a cat owned and operated blog, this is important news!

First photos of rare African black leopard captured in more than a century - The Guardian
British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas has become the first person to photograph an extremely rare black leopard in more than one hundred years.

From The Branches