We learned a lot from last night‘s game. 1) Travis Dermott is looking better and better 2) Reviews are very annoying sometimes and 3) Auston Matthews is a god. All three you probably knew already, but it’s still nice to repeat. Especially when Matthews does amazing things like this:

Just a side note: Are we not allowed to have fun in the NHL anymore? Sure Matthews did the ref’s job in response to his goal getting called back minutes before, but to say it was a bush league move is a little over the top. Let’s just laugh and move on.

Anyway, as much as you can rave about those three things, the Leafs won’t get anywhere unless they cut those defensive errors and miscommunications out of their systems. Nobody’s perfect, not even Matthews, but it’s frustrating to see the team lose when they put themselves in a position to at least get a point.

Matthews and Marleau score, but Leafs fall to the Avalanche 4-2 - Pension Plan Puppets
Jonathan Bernier and the Colorado Avalanche stormed into Toronto to pick up their tenth straight win.

Thankfully the Atlantic Buffer is still working in the Leafs’ favour, which is at 12 points mind you.

In Case You Missed It

A Quick and Dirty Survey of Western Conference Right-Shooting Defencemen - Pension Plan Puppets
The gaping hole organizationally for the Leafs are right-shot defencemen. We could always just sit on our hands and for Timothy Liljegren to grow with the Toronto Marlies but, where's the fun in that? Therefore Fulemin went on a quest for RHDs (echoes)

Leafs prospect report: A quiet week all around - elseldo
Not much going on with the future of the Leafs, Fedor Gordeev scored a pretty nice goal though.

Around the Hockey World

The Problem is Beyond the Coaching - Die By The Blade
Chad DeDominics breaks down the disaster that is the Buffalo Sabres. He's absolutely right; the problem is beyond Phil Housley.  Not to mention this is also a prime example of karma at it's finest: "I'm disappointed for our fans."

What the Joe Morrow signing suggests about the Habs’ pro scouting - Eyes On The Prize
Joe Morrow is one of many examples in the NHL of teams being a little too short-sighted with players.

This happened on Sunday, but I can’t believe something like this can happen right in front of a ref and nothing is called.

'Captain Clutch' Marie-Philip Poulin ready to lead Canada to gold again - Sportsnet.ca
I'll have my Canada Flag ready hoping, “Captain Clutch,” can lead the team to another gold medal next month.

Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils Superstar Left Winger - All About The Jersey
In other news, the Edmonton Oilers are on a three-game winning streak but are still looking for help on the wing.

Enjoy your Tuesday, everyone.

From The Branches