After starting their road trip on the weekend with a win against the Canadiens, then a loss to the Rangers, the Leafs are heading out west.

Maple Leafs fall to Rangers, 4-1

Yes, this means the games this week will have late starts, 9:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, and 10:00 p.m. on Thursday. Saturday’s game against the Coyotes will start at the normal time, and there will probably be some kind of feature about Auston Matthews.

This is a pretty greulling schedule of five games in eight games across multiple time zones and changes in game start times. I don’t know

ICYMI
Here’s what we wrote about yesterday.

Toronto Maple Leafs Podcast - Back to Excited: Matthews Contract - Arvind, Fulemin and Fulecat
We discuss the Auston Matthews extension and what it means for Mitchell Marner, plus Jake Muzzin and more.

Marlies defeat Thunderbirds 4-2 on Saturday - Pension Plan Puppets
The Marlies had the Force with them on Star Wars Night.

Marlies recap: the kids run out of gas, lose to Senators in OT - Hardev
Mistakes and tired legs cost Marlies squad that are thin on depth right now.

Other News

It’s funny to see Varlamov so confused about what the hell happened even though this goal is eventually waived off.

“This is fine.”

Randy Carlyle relieved of head coaching duties - Anaheim Calling
”RAAAAAAANDY!”
”Oops.”

Emergency Podcast: Carlyle Fired, Murray Interim Head Coach - Anaheim Calling
Jake and Felix clock in for an emergency podcast in light of Randy Carlyle being relieved of his duties and Bob Murray stepping in as interim head coach.

The Canadiens fourth line problems are affecting them at two levels - Eyes On The Prize
The Canadiens fourth line has been established as a liability but it’s also affecting the Laval Rocket.

Five Overage Players NHL Teams Should Sign - The OHL Collective
Overage players often fall under the radar. Overlooked or the classic “Well he’s 20, he should be producing against 16 year old’s” excuse, which is valid sometimes, but in a few cases, overage players are often legit add’s to professional rosters.

Reality Check - The Copper & Blue
Over the last 25 games at even-strength, Connor McDavid’s on-ice Corsi For percentage is 45.33%, and his on-ice Fenwick For percentage is 43.47%. He’ll still definitely produce points in these circumstances, but make no mistake, McDavid’s productivity and his contribution to winning games is being hindered by whatever the Oilers coaching staff is trying to do.

From The Branches