Easton Cowan scored twice and added two assists in London's 7-4 win over Owen Sound to go up 3-0 in their first round series. Expect Cowan's Knights to go far in the playoffs once again.

#Leafs prospect Easton Cowan with 2 goals and 2 primary assists tonight in London's 7-4 win. He's up to 8 points through the first 3 games of the series as London take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

— Bastard Treliving (@brigstew.bsky.social) 2025-04-02T02:29:37.571Z

Noah Chadwick's team is also up 3-0 in their first round series. Chadwick was named to the WHL's first all-star team in the East. He's one of the four best defenders in the league.

#Leafs prospect Noah Chadwick (#8 in white/red) starts the breakout with the first pass that led to a secondary assist on the winning goal. Lethbridge take a 3-0 series lead.

— Bastard Treliving (@brigstew.bsky.social) 2025-04-02T02:44:24.006Z

Nick Robertson (the other one) got traded on April Fool's Day.

Rest in Peace to Leafs Alumni Mark "Trees" Laforest.

We are saddened to learn that former Leafs goalie Mark Laforest (affectionately known as “Trees”) has passed away. Mark appeared in 27 games for the Maple Leafs during the 1989-90 season and after his retirement, appeared at many NHL alumni events.

— Toronto Maple Leafs (bot) (@notmapleleafs.bsky.social) 2025-04-01T19:14:03.362Z
Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Mark Laforest dead at 62 | TSN
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the passing of goaltender Mark Laforest on Tuesday. He was 62.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

From Bloomberg, the Rogers stock has dropped, but it's not because of the NHL deal. I didn't know this, but they have a credit card branch in their giant business, that has been the thing pulling down the company. As for the NHL deal, here is what an expert had to say, “once the dust settles, we do not expect this rights renewal to be either a negative for Rogers, nor an overly material event.”

Rogers falls to lowest since 2012 on downgrade, rich NHL TV deal
Rogers Communications Inc. is set to renew its 12-year broadcast deal with the National Hockey League for $11 billion (US$7.7 billion), according to a report in Sportico. The shares dropped.
BNN BloombergBloomberg News

The Panthers were in Montreal yesterday, but they were already looking ahead to the Leafs game. In fact, they blew the game in overtime to the Habs. The Leafs now hold a two-point lead over the Panthers for first place in the division with eight games to go.

Marchand of Panthers to renew rivalry with Maple Leafs | NHL.com
Toronto expecting ‘challenge’ against former Bruins forward
NHL logoMike Zeisberger

This interview was interesting.

“Once again, it all falls on the Leafs’ top six, but it is the best top six they’ve ever had” -- Anthony Petrielli discusses Toronto’s playoff lineup on Real Kyper & Bourne
MLHS’ Anthony Petrielli joined Real Kyper McKee & Bourne on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the Maple Leafs’ playoff forward lineup, the Game 1 decision in net, the Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo pairing, and whether Philippe Myers should play over Simon Benoit in some games down the stretch. Petrielli on the state of the Leafs’ forward group […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

From The Branches