The Leafs begin a very short road trip with a return engagement with the Flyers and a game in Carolina. They are back home next Saturday, and none of these are back-to-backs. Surely that's a mistake of some kind.

In case you missed it:

Jake McCabe is on IR, and he had to be to make roster room for the recall of Marshall Rifai. There are six healthy defenders without Rifai, but teams rarely do road trips without an extra. We'll find out later who is playing.

IIHF - Canada grinds down stubborn Slovaks
Third-period flourish solves Sumegova, sets up win
IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation
Team Poland Set to Miss Olympic Qualifiers
In an all-too-familiar story, lack of money extinguishes a dream for a very deserving national team.
The Ice GardenMeredith Foster

And that's it for now, see you later for a preview for tonight's game.

From The Branches