The Toronto Maple Leafs had yet another high-profile loss last night to cap off a week of mostly losing. After dropping two of three games to the Winnipeg Jets, they followed it up with a loss to the North Division last place Ottawa Senators in which they only looked like they were ready to play in the last ten minutes of the game. Here’s our recap.

Recap: Leafs lay a green egg vs Ottawa

There was an update to the game boxscores from the league late last night too.

The Leafs now have some time to collect themselves and regroup. Their next two games are back-to-back matches against the Flames on Friday and Saturday night. The question everyone is asking is which team will show up? The one that obliterated their biggest competition in the division, the Edmonton Oilers, beating them in three straight games only ten days ago, or, will it be last week’s team that lost three of four to much weaker teams.

The Leafs have a lot to sort out on this mini-break. This whole question of identity was a big thing that was supposed to be sorted out as “tough to play against” back in the off-season. It would appear they need to go back to drawing board here, and it would be nice after this time back there to have them emerge with an acceptable answer to at least one of these questions:

“Who are you? What do you want?”

(RIP, Mira Furlan)

The Marlies lost their game to the Laval Rocket last night too; 5-4 decided in a shootout. The Galchenyuk-Petan-Barabanov line continues to impress. Barabanov had a goal and an assist, both for the second game in a row.

The Marlies’ next games are also Friday and Saturday night back-to-back games against the Belleville Senators (in Ottawa.)

Other News

Nazem Kadri still knows how to do a fine toe-drag. This was his seventh goal of the season.

“Bring me Dougie, Kyle!”

One goalie did make a highlight reel save last night. Joonas Korpisalo pulled off an amazing glove save off a shot from Jamie Benn.

As long as there are Tom Wilsons in the world, there will be NHL Emergency Assistance Fund - The Boston Globe
The program is funded solely by fines and suspensions of current players and helps many in need.

Capitals GM leaves door open for possible Henrik Lundqvist return this season - ESPN
Lundqvist had open-heart surgery in January. The twenty year NHL veteran has not yet played in what would be his first season with the Caps after spending the entirety of his career with the Rangers to date.

Hockey players returning from overseas want exemption from quarantine rules - CBC
Former NHLer Daniel Winnik among those who have signed a petition asking that Canadian professional hockey players returning home from overseas be placed on the COVID-19 essential travelers list and be exempt from a mandatory three-day hotel quarantine.

Exploring the long history of Black hockey in Nova Scotia - CBC
Stories from the CBC Archives shed light on the little-known history of Black hockey in the Maritimes.

From The Branches