The Leafs kick off the most gruelling part of the season in Tampa tonight. From now through the end of the regular season on Saturday April 7th, the Leafs will play games almost every other day, with a few back-to-backs tossed in for some spice, I guess.

They will return from Florida for a three game homestand before a trip to see the Islanders Friday next week, followed by hosting  the Jets at the ACC on Saturday night. Expect to see some sloppy hockey by tired and jet-lagged players before the start of the playoffs.

Nylander seems to be energized though.

ICYMI

Here is what we wrote about yesterday.

Maple Leafs medical report: Almost everyone is back - Katya
Practice is full of familiar faces today.

Scouting the Enemy: Bruins vs Lightning - Katya
The playoff opponents the Leafs will face, faced off against each other on Saturday night.

2018 NHL Draft Rankings: March Edition (#1-15) - Kevin Papetti
Kevin's draft rankings have a near perfect correlation to the real draft!

The Optimist/Pessimist Guide To The Leafs’ Playoff Race - Fulemin
Fulemins ramblings have a near zero correlation to actual playoff results!

More Hockey News

The NHL GM meetings continue today. Apparently they wound up spending tthe entirety of Monday on goalie interference and reached no consensus or conclusion. They might announce a decision or a rule change later today.

There was no interference on this play though.

The Stars playoff hopes are unraveling in an embarrassing fashion  - Dallas News
The defining moment came late Sunday evening in Winnipeg as Blake Wheeler skated in on the Stars net where the last line of defense was a helpless Jamie Benn.

Sprong isn’t making an NHL impact anytime soon - PensBurgh
Got your hopes up Daniel Sprong would make a Guentzel-esque impact this year? Probably should roll that back a bit.

Syracuse Crunch succeeding on youth and depth - Raw Charge
Read up on a potential road block to the Marlies making the Calder Cup Final.

Don’t Forget About Chris Wideman - Silver Seven
The Senators defenseman has missed most of the season due to an injury and is a UFA this summer.

The Canadiens will now receive the Oilers’ fourth-round pick - Eyes On The Prize
LOLOILERS.

Hall of Fame player Larry Kwong dies at 94 - CBC News
Larry Kwong, the first player to break the NHL's colour barrier, has died at age 94 in Calgary.

From The Branches