> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # From The Branches: It's Crunch Time - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/from-the-branches-its-crunch-time/ - Published: 2017-03-30T09:00:01.000Z - Updated: 2017-03-30T09:00:01.000Z - Description: Seven games left in the regular season, and nobody's stressed out at all! - Author: Anne Boyd - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 10:50 Good morning, PPP! Last night, there were only four NHL games, none of which have any effect on the [Maple Leafs](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/toronto-maple-leafs?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)' grip of the third playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Before tonight's fun of watching the Maple Leafs play Nashville, while chewing our fingernails and looking nervously at the league scoreboard, let's take a moment to address another important issue: [Auston Matthews](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/282126/auston-matthews?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)' social calendar. > "I love that you barely body-check and how much goals you get." Same. [pic.twitter.com/uqQvyDQyyT](https://t.co/uqQvyDQyyT?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — antonella (@antogold) [March 30, 2017](https://twitter.com/antogold/status/847238482254733312?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Everett in Waterloo speaks for Leafs Nation. While the playoffs are important, I think we can all agree that Matthews has an equally important event to attend. #### In Case You Missed It [Playoff probability: Do you believe in magic? - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-playoff-probability-do-you-believe-in-magic/) Is it the Fates that rule us, or someone else entirely? [Six points in five games: Closer to the goal - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/six-points-in-five-games-closer-to-the-goal-toronto-maple-leafs-points-pace-mike-babcock-playoffs/) The Leafs have their second eight point set at just the right time. [Women's Hockey Wednesday: They persisted - and they won - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/womens-hockey-wednesday-they-persisted-uswnt-iihf-duggan-knight-usa-hockey/) The USWNT has triumphed and it's game on for Worlds. [Mailbag: On the best Leafs hug, Quidditch being bad, the playoffs, and more - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/mailbag-leafs-hugging-quidditch-doesnt-work-maple-leafs-playoffs/) All that and more in the latest mailbag. #### Maple Leafs News [Wednesday Practice: Mike Babcock, Frederik Andersen, Matt Martin, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews | Maple Leafs Hotstove](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/03/29/wednesday-practice-mike-babcock-frederik-andersen/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Babcock: "Wendel is a guy who I’ve known since he was a kid. A great ambassador for the Leafs. It’s great for Matty to be mentioned in the same kind of sentence with him, and also a sign of things to come." [Mirtle: Already the Maple Leafs’ best player, Auston Matthews should be their next captain – The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/47875/2017/03/29/mirtle-already-the-maple-leafs-best-player-auston-matthews-should-be-their-next-captain/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Mike Babcock had met Auston Matthews before, in the bowels of Joe Louis Arena, back in November of 2014. [Chelios: 'No veteran free agent' wants to play for Mike Babcock - Sportsnet.ca](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/chris-chelios-blasts-mike-babcock-free-agents-veteran-detroit-red-wings-toronto-maple-leafs/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Hall of Fame defenceman [Chris Chelios](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54801/chris-chelios?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): "I'm telling you: No veteran free agent is going to want to come in and play for Mike Babcock." (warning for autoplay) #### Other Hockey News [A Look Into the Oilers Declining Possession Numbers - The Copper & Blue](http://www.coppernblue.com/2017/3/29/15103848/a-look-into-the-oilers-declining-possession-numbers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Now that the [Oilers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/edmonton-oilers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) have clinched a playoff spot, the question is how far can they possibly go. [Detroit Red Wings' playoff streak was great, but what now?](http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2017/03/29/detroit-red-wings-playoff-streak/99770492/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) 'Detroit has some pieces, they just need to spruce up in some areas,' says Scotty Bowman. [NHL will release teams’ protected, available Vegas expansion draft lists - The Globe and Mail](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/nhl-will-release-teams-protected-available-vegas-expansion-draft-lists/article34482194/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The league announced the decision on Twitter despite NHL general managers expressing a desire to keep the lists private [University of North Dakota cuts women's ice hockey program - The Ice Garden](http://www.theicegarden.com/2017/3/29/15114650/university-of-north-dakota-cuts-womens-ice-hockey-program-wcha-college-hockey-ncaa-title-ix?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This is sad garbage.