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# Monday's FTB: The first road trip is coming up soon
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/mondays-ftb-the-first-road-trip/
- Published: 2026-10-05T10:00:10.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-05T10:00:09.000Z
- Description: The grind begins with a game at home to Nashville and then a trip to Vegas.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: From The Branches

Monday of the first full week of NHL hockey dawns with the Leafs at home tomorrow in the first TSN game, and then they immediately go on the road to Vegas for the first late start – 10 pm. From Vegas they go up the mountain to Denver for Hockey Night Not in Canada. 

This week is going to test all that enthusiasm everyone has been showing. 

The Leafs lost a game at home last Saturday they "deserved" to win until the Senators came on really strong in the third period. Ottawa, the third best five-on-five team by xG% last year, can drive play, and the Leafs are still finding their way on that score. 

[\- TSNKirill Marchenko apologized for taking a high-sticking penalty on Tim Stutzle that led to Ottawa’s game-winning goal on Saturday. “Penalty is penalty and it’s on me,” the winger said. “I can play better next time.” Marchenko didn’t want to comment about whether the Senators centre embellished.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon-e4283603-c1aa-4e27-87c9-aef1a42d30ce.ico)TSN![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fd3g70guqh4mw9g.cloudfront.net-2F10-04-2026-2Ft_de7880ea31a2455d941bfebfecc75ff6_name_2026_10_4_52859fbf_b5ac_4c47_92d4_03ab54fde944_jpg_1920x1080-c3acddad-1e63-4358-83dd-c1a417e27b69.jpg)](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/10/04/its-on-me-marchenko-apologizes-for-costly-penalty-on-stutzle-in-leafs-loss/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

[\- TSNKirill Marchenko joined the Maple Leafs a day before the regular season began, and because of it, has had limited time to practice with his linemates in Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic. Sunday, Toronto held an optional skate, where the trio was seen putting the work in. TSN’s Mark Masters has more.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon-22410bc0-6f28-43a7-87d4-0e7d902dfc74.ico)TSN![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fd3g70guqh4mw9g.cloudfront.net-2F10-04-2026-2Ft_9346ad8f96104b3daf08abcfc3e0a08c_name_2026_10_4_71e409a2_da13_4df0_838d_0d5dce30d80a_jpg_1920x1080-1f26bc65-2c11-4a96-a6dd-1684bb4de2f2.jpg)](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/10/04/leafs-ice-chips-they-want-to-score-matthews-line-takes-part-in-optional-skills-practice/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

[‘Lots of iron’: Maple Leafs’ loss to Senators not all puck luckPuck luck played a role in the Maple Leafs’ loss on Saturday, but it wasn’t the sole reason they dropped a second one-goal decision in their opening week.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/sn_favicon-7e8b5c8a-fdb8-4e0f-ac0e-dd7534ac03dd.ico)Sportsnet.caLuke Fox![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/CP177026697-26d01084-2ca9-45c1-98dd-fa7897100df6.jpg)](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/lots-of-iron-maple-leafs-loss-to-senators-not-all-puck-luck/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Nope it wasn't just luck, but yes it is something to build on. 

Okay, the below is just what has happened. Trying to make something out of that in terms of future doom has no foundation in reality, but this is just how it is right now: 

Even-strength shooting (iCF/60): 

1. Sissons: 24
2. Marchenko: 23
3. Nylander: 21
4. Raddysh: 16
5. Roslovic: 13
6. Matthews: 12
7. Groulx: 12

Those top three are not staying that high. Raddysh is not staying that high. Matthews is not staying that low. 

But he is shooting the least on his line, and at about 60% of his prior career average. If he's going to score, he needs to shoot. And no, I don't actually think it's that the other guys on the line are hogging the puck, they just haven't got their offensive concepts fully realized. 

Also, yes, the third line is really cooking so far. Which is a thing I have never said, er, since it had Mitch Marner on it. 

That's really all there is to say about the Leafs so far. I have no idea where they will be 10 games in or 20 or 84\. Remember when the team changed about four guys and the talk was constantly about how there was too much change? Well, this is a lot of change. Relax and give it time. 

I enjoyed the last game for a host of reasons. I'm enjoying Easton Cowan a lot, and very quietly Morgan Rielly is doing okay. It's been a while since he looked comfortable. No one looks like they're playing through an injury they should be just rehabbing.

But now the grind begins.