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# Thursday FTB: Just a normal day
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/thursday-ftb-just-a-normal-day/
- Published: 2025-01-02T11:00:25.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-02T13:04:08.000Z
- Description: Holidays are done.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: From The Branches

The NHL had one game yesterday, after deciding to move the Winter Classic to New Year's Eve. 

[Is retreating from New Year’s Day the right move for the Winter Classic?The NHL Winter Classic has moved away from New Year’s Day for the first time, taking place on New Year’s Eve instead. Is it the right move?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-75.png)Sports Media WatchJon Lewis![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/USATSI_25085938-scaled-3.jpg)](https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/12/nhl-winter-classic-new-years-eve-is-it-right-move-ratings/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

The Sceptres are dark until January 8, for the big game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. 

### Preview

The Leafs play the Islanders today on Long Island with a 7:30 start, and the game is on SNO. You should consider that your preview since I've run out of things to say about the Islanders or the Leafs playing like the Islanders only with talented players. 

> Matthews: "It’s nice to still be around the guys a lot, being able to take part in practices, it’s big. Just taking it day by day and feeling good, feeling better every single day. Going to continue to hope for the positive progression and go from there." [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Terry Koshan 🇺🇦 (@koshtorontosun) [January 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1874510468276228377?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

q

Berube has some positive things about Matthews and the last game. 

Yesterday Auston Matthews skated as an extra and will not play today.

> Auston Matthews set to take part in practice, but wearing an extras grey jersey. [pic.twitter.com/iT11ueZd8G](https://t.co/iT11ueZd8G?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — David Alter (@dalter) [January 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1874487289973501972?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

The Leafs sent Marshall Rifai to the minors on the 31st and then recalled him for practice yesterday, but he skated as the extra and OEL should play.

> [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) lines during practice Jan. 1/25  
>  
> Pacioretty-Tavares-Marner  
> Knies-Kampf-Nylander  
> McMann-Domi-Robertson  
> Lorentz-Dewar-Reaves  
> Matthews (grey jersey)  
> Absent: Holmberg (illness)  
>  
> Rielly-Myers  
> McCabe-Tanev  
> Benoit-OEL  
> Rifai-Timmins  
>  
> Woll   
> Hildeby[@BodogCA](https://twitter.com/BodogCA?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — David Alter (@dalter) [January 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1874493717626909121?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

January 1 is when players on one-years deals can re-sign. Click through to the story, their contend won't make one of those handy cards.

> Happy new year! Six [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) that are on one-year deals are able to sign contract extensions as of today. Here are your candidates. Who do you want to see back? ⤵️[https://t.co/gPV2rRh1y3](https://t.co/gPV2rRh1y3?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — David Alter (@dalter) [January 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1874455788963459484?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Quarter-final matchups are set!🤜🤛 [#WorldJuniors](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [#IIHF](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IIHF?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/dkX9jGPKj5](https://t.co/dkX9jGPKj5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — IIHF (@IIHFHockey) [January 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/IIHFHockey/status/1874453703199207807?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

That's all for now, see you later for the game.