The Maple Leafs are heading to Washington D.C. to meet the President’s Trophy winners today, and, no, not the actual President. It’s the first meeting of these teams since last seasons’ playoffs in which the Capitals eliminated the Leafs in the first round.

Rivalries are a funny thing. They can originate over time from a series of perceived slights and contested events, or they can arise from a single pivotal moment which creates one big winner, and one big loser.

A Bruins and Leafs rivalry developed from the former, kicked off by the Kessel trade, and further fueled by a few years of hapless Leafs teams losing badly to the “tough” Bruins who had won a Stanley Cup, allegedly with said toughness. It peaked in May 2013 when the Leafs faced the Bruins in the playoffs and lost the series in an infamous Game 7 overtime.

Trades of key players by both teams, like Phil Kessel and Tyler Seguin, changes in management, and a fall to the bottom of the league standings by both teams essentially ended that rivalry.

Last season, the Leafs lost to the Capitals in six games in the first round of the playoffs. It was a disappointing loss, but it still didn’t fall into the latter category of a pivotal event. However, many have declared that a rivalry was born that day. It doesn’t feel that way to me. It was a more inward-focused event; the dawn of a new Leafs era. A team brimming with young talent showing off the possibilities of the future to a team which had talent and experience, but was also old and tired. The defeat in Game 6 was harsh, but not something emotionally devastating like that loss to the Bruins. After accepting the loss, we were all “back to excited” pretty quickly.

However, perhaps it was the first of a series of events which will at some point establish a new rivalry, like what happened with Boston. We will see what happens tonight.

A preview of the game against the Washington Capitals will be up later this morning when line-up information is confirmed.

FYI - tonight will be Patrick Marleau’s 1,499th NHL game. Expect a ceremony to mark the big 1,500 at the game  tomorrow.

Elsewhere, it was a quiet night for the league, with the Lightning defeating the Red Wings 3-2 in the only game. It was quiet inside the allegedly “sold out” Little Caesars Arena too.

ICYMI

Six in five is back: How are the Leafs doing on their points target? - Katya
Mike Babcock is back talking about six points in every five games, so we’re tracking it for you.

Other News

The citizens of Calgary re-elected Naheed Nenshi with a majority of the vote. The vote is at least in part a public rebuke of the Flames for their arrogant meddling in the election with their pathetically executed PR campaign for a new arena.

They sound somewhat bitter about the results.

The Flames staff appear trapped in an epistemically closed NHL bubble to the point the reality their actions actually hurt their image is truly unknown to them. It’s like they live in a Tim Horton’s TV add. We await the inevitable announcement where they pretend they are moving the team somewhere.

Breaking down the goals against versus the Montreal Canadiens - MLHS
Each of the Canadiens goals on Saturday night was created by an error from a Maple Leafs defenseman.

Tocchet, Chayka and the power of patience - Five For Howling
Everybody needs to just take a deep breath and try not to panic.

Analyzing the Dallas Stars Wingers and the Concerning Lack of Goals - Defending Big D
On one hand it’s nice to see the usual suspects on that list. On the other hand, it should be concerning to see no one else on that list. It’s extra concerning that Dallas’ forwards have just three even strength goals through five games. It’s even more concerning that only one NHL team has less even strength goals than Dallas (Carolina).

Canadiens, Streit mutually terminate contract - Eyes On The Prize
Mark Streit will probably look towards Europe to finish his career

A Ruff Day with the Islanders - Lighthouse Hockey
I had the chance to attend the Islanders’ puppy calendar photoshoot, and it did not disappoint.

What is Matt Duchene’s upside this season? - Mile High Hockey
The Avalanche forward is looking rejuvenated this season, but what can we expect the rest of the way?

Why Nashville Shouldn’t Give You Hope - On the Forecheck
The Predators wasn’t your average 8-seed.

Concussions will kill hockey. Gary Bettman needs to save it - The Globe and Mail
"Why is legislation needed? Ask Gordon and Kathleen Stringer, whose 17-year-old daughter, Rowan, died of "second impact syndrome" and malignant brain swelling after a series of unrecognized concussions in high school rugby."

Ryan O’Reilly’s Slow Start Causing Concern - Die By The Blade
[Species: Maybe he needs to get a double-double from Tim's. Or perhaps that’s not a good idea.]

Well that will be a huge help for the Coyotes to get their first win of the season.

From The Branches