Happy Real Thanksgiving! It’s a day off for most of us in Canada, and a day off for a few in the USA where it is Columbus Day. In case you have been in a prolonged turkey coma since Friday night, here’s some links to catch up on what has been happening with the Maple Leafs.

Leafs 7 - Blackhawks 6 (OT): They are who we thought they were
Game Recap: Leafs lose 5-3 to the Sens in a game they should have won
Toronto Marlies Recap: Non Gagner for the Marlies in 7-5 loss to B-Devils

The Leafs now have a night off before starting a three game road trip, visiting the Central Division to play their first late EST game of the season against the Dallas Stars tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m.

The Marlies are in action today at their home opener against the Cleveland Monsters at 3:00 p.m. The Monsters flipped into the AHL North Division this season and it will be pretty much the first time the Marlies have ever played this team, at least as its present incarnation. The Marlies were in the AHL Western Conference many years ago, so I can’t be sure if they have faced-off before through all the relocations and changed affiliations so it’s a tabula rasa as far as I am concerned for these two teams. Perhaps they will kick-off a new rivalry this afternoon.

There will be a brief ceremony before the start of the game to honour the Marlies as 2017-18 Calder Cup Champions, including a banner raising. Hardev will be there to recap the game. Feel free to head by the press area at intermission and say hello.

The Marlies next series is back-to-back games against the Utica Comets next Saturday and Sunday.

ICYMI
(because you had too much red wine and turkey and conked out)

European Prospect Report: the depth guys bring the excitement this week - Katya
Eemeli Räsänen is injured, and Nikolai Chebykin makes his debut.

Other News

How Leafs boss Shanahan is conveniently ignoring history - Larry Brooks
And how did Shanahan happen to get to Detroit? Why, by forcing a trade out of Hartford, where he’d been traded a year earlier from St. Louis. And, pray tell, how did Shanahan happen to be wearing the blue note? Why, by signing an offer sheet with the Blues after spending his first four seasons with the Devils.

Comparing Nylander’s situation to Kucherov’s two years ago - Raw Charge
Two wingers. Two hold-outs. How will it go in Toronto for William Nylander?

Eller on his fight with Marchand: ‘I can handle it myself’ - WaPo
Lars Eller found himself bloodied by Brad Marchand star after celebrating his goal in Wednesday night's season opener.

Sharks place Thornton on injured reserve, recall Dylan Gambrell - Fear The Fin
" Joe Thornton’s injury has been revealed as swelling in his right knee following the Kings game. This is the knee injured last January."

Finally, here’s an interesting contrast of firsts yesterday between Andrei Svechnikov and Ilya Kovalchuk.

From The Branches