Er. Yeah, what a game. Let's boil it down:

  • The Leafs were pretty bad and won easily
  • The Canucks tried very hard and never looked like they could win it
  • Some of the best Leafs had their worst nights, and it didn't matter much
  • The Canucks outshot the Leafs overall but in very ineffective ways
  • No one noticed Chris Tanev, so I assume that means he was excellent
  • The Leafs had an excellent second period but couldn't keep that going, and yet they won
  • Dakota Joshua could have scored three times if he were, uh, not Dakota Joshua, but scoring is not really his key value, and he was good and kept the puck headed towards the Canucks goalie, not Stolarz

Final score was 4-2 Leafs (one ENG) and it wasn't an oil painting, but it was a win.

When John Chayka said he wanted this team to be able to win in multiple ways, he didn't mean just pretty ones.

Several people mentioned Friday's practice that the Leafs held in Vancouver was the longest one of the season to date. This schedule has been punishing, and they haven't had a lot of time to work on much on anything. This coming week is more open and might just be what they need.

Ducks place veteran D Jensen on waivers
The Anaheim Ducks placed veteran defenceman Nick Jensen on waivers Saturday afternoon. Jensen, 36, joined the Ducks on a two-year, $4.5 million contract in the off-season that carries an annual cap hit of $2.25 million.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

The Ducks signed Jensen (one-time it-boy who every Leafs fan wanted) to two years (!) at $2.25 million (!!). He's played in three games for them. Betcha he's still better than Nick Blankenburg though.

Six key takeaways from the first month of the NHL season
What have we learned through the first month of the NHL season? We take a look around the league at some takeaways as the calendar gets set to flip to November.
Sportsnet.caRory Boylen

And finally, while this might be true in the strict sense, that the two teams are on his 10-team "yes" no-trade list, I mean, come on. Any fantasy Leafs trade would be too silly for words.

Kucherov would consider trade to Maple Leafs or Canadiens
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff
From The Branches