> ## 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: Halfway there - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-news-links-from-the-branches-halfway-there-whoa-oh-living-on-a-prayer/ - Published: 2021-03-12T11:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2021-03-12T11:00:00.000Z - Description: It’s going to be playoff time before we know it. - Author: Anne Boyd - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 10:50 Yesterday’s game was the halfway mark of the season, so we are officially now closer to the playoffs than the season opener, because that’s what “halfway” means. Auston Matthews made sure that we marked the occasion with a win—everyone should feel free to watch the OT goal one or five or thirty-four more times: > AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨 > > OVERTIME WINNER! BEAUTY! [pic.twitter.com/BN7hrpnCRP](https://t.co/BN7hrpnCRP?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 12, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1370202420324753411?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Another angle? Sure, why not! > Beauty feed to Matthews and he finishes it [pic.twitter.com/5KCmmz1DLA](https://t.co/5KCmmz1DLA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 12, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1370202574100570114?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This is an excellent way to end a week, and I’d like to encourage the Maple Leafs to do this more, instead of, you know, the other thing. #### ICYMI [Game Recap: Toronto Maple Leafs win in OT despite some amazing goaltending by Hellebuyck - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-winnipeg-jets-recap-if-you-blame-freddie-you-are-an-idiot-leafs-win/) Hellebuyck stole the show, Matthews wins it in overtime [Maple Leafs make a roster swap of their depth - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-make-a-roster-swap-of-their-depth-if-you-guessed-liljegren-would-not-play-you-win/) Joseph Woll has not gone all the way to the Marlies, just the Taxi Squad. \[Editor’s note: Leafs buried the lede, the real news is Nick Robertson is on the Taxi Squad.\] [Maple Leafs Roster Report: 4th line change - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-roster-report-4th-line-change-agostino-matthews-boyd-woll/) Not much is new after a practice day and an optional skate. #### Stuff We Didn’t Write [San Jose Sharks prospect Ivan Chekhovich to return from KHL - Fear The Fin](https://www.fearthefin.com/2021/3/11/22325889/san-jose-sharks-prospects-ivan-chekhovich-to-return-from-khl-playoffs-gagarin-cup-ahl-barracuda?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The winger took his development to Russia, but a post-season loss has made him available for a return to San Jose. [Jordan Binnington, Blues agree to contract extension - St. Louis Game Time](https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2021/3/11/22326353/jordan-binnington-blues-agree-to-contract-extension?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) It’s a mid-season surprise! [Senators president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc looks forward to welcoming back fans | Hockey | Sports | The Journal Pioneer](https://www.journalpioneer.com/sports/hockey/senators-president-of-business-operations-anthony-leblanc-looks-forward-to-welcoming-back-fans-562504/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) It hasn’t been business as usual since Anthony LeBlanc joined the Ottawa Senators last April. [Analyzing three Maple Leafs trade targets and their fit with the team](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/analyzing-three-maple-leafs-trade-targets-fit-team/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be aggressive on the trade market this year and with just five games in their next 14 days, a window may be opening to make a move. We get into the numbers to look at how three targets in particular would fit with the group. [Down Goes Brown: The Athletic Hockey Show: The NHL changes the channel](http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2021/03/the-athletic-hockey-show-nhl-changes.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Toronto Maple Leafs Musings: In defense of Frederik Andersen](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/03/11/toronto-maple-leafs-musings-in-defense-of-frederik-andersen/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Joe Thornton keeping things light as Toronto Maple Leafs struggle through slump - TSN.ca](https://www.tsn.ca/joe-thornton-keeping-things-light-as-toronto-maple-leafs-struggle-through-slump-1.1605971?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Kiefer Sherwood proving to be a solid depth option for the Colorado Avalanche - Mile High Hockey](https://www.milehighhockey.com/2021/3/11/22323604/kiefer-sherwood-proving-to-be-a-solid-depth-option-for-the-colorado-avalanche?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Players like Sherwood could be valuable as the season moves on [Sheldon Keefe on the team's response to the three-game losing skid: "I don't think there is any sense of panic here" | Maple Leafs Hotstove](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/03/10/sheldon-keefe-on-the-teams-response-to-the-three-game-losing-skid-i-dont-think-there-is-any-sense-of-panic-here/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Jesperi Kotkaniemi is showing increased confidence - Eyes On The Prize](https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2021/3/11/22324806/jesperi-kotkaniemi-highlights-stats-montreal-canadiens-canucks-takeaways-brendan-gallagher-toffoli?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Some people have been asking Kotkaniemi to shoot more, and he obliged them. [Ontario sport minister confident OHL will play games in 2021](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/ontario-sport-minister-confident-ohl-205842849.html?guccounter=1&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) TORONTO — Ontario's sport minister is optimistic the Ontario Hockey League will get approval to stage a 2021 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lisa MacLeod says she's "feeling great" about the OHL's chances of playing games.