> ## 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.

# Wednesday's FTB: Our first back-to-back
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wednesdays-ftb-our-first-back-to-back/
- Published: 2026-09-30T10:00:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T10:00:30.000Z
- Description: Islanders today.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: From The Branches

Starting off this morning with Insider Trading, where Chris Johnston reveals the Leafs consider themselves "patiently aggressive" and are still looking for upgrades, potentially even early in this season.

[\- TSNTSN’s Hockey Insiders on the Maple Leafs continuing to seek upgrades, the Habs striking out on Marchenko, the Jets looking ahead to the season, the Red Wings/Edvinsson/Larkin situation, the latest on Kucherov, and officials on improper equipment usage.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon-d415c102-5497-449b-b6ab-6965c7b817f0.ico)TSN![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/https-3A-2F-2Fd3g70guqh4mw9g.cloudfront.net-2F09-29-2026-2Ft_c7d4555c501249d982f9a0244eee9ec2_name_2026_9_29_42c875b1_8dae_4d2a_bdf6_6dbbe596cf14_jpg_1920x1080-e6a366aa-e660-4335-8092-dbf93dbce916.jpg)](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/09/29/insider-trading-maple-leafs-look-to-remain-aggressive/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

They mention a need on defence and reference the unexpected need to move Emil Andrae, but I feel like they need a notch above that. 

> Sergei Bobrovsky leads Gavin McKenna out for rookie lap [@BarDown](https://x.com/BarDown?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/glmDdsM63V](https://t.co/glmDdsM63V?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) [September 29, 2026](https://x.com/markhmasters/status/2105064642230046815?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Some game moments: 

The first period:

> Nylander is on the board! What a shot! [pic.twitter.com/MPtpaeBbHq](https://t.co/MPtpaeBbHq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 29, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105076571274899836?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> looks like Jake McCabe might've been cut by a skate [pic.twitter.com/PmCsC4jcaZ](https://t.co/PmCsC4jcaZ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 29, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105079721675411718?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

McCabe came back for the second period and appeared to be fine after playing only two shifts in the first.

> Josh Anderson ties it [pic.twitter.com/peVyYyeIpD](https://t.co/peVyYyeIpD?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 29, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105080645433135349?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Second period:

> Zachary Bolduc gives the Habs the lead [pic.twitter.com/WkdwwTRNOa](https://t.co/WkdwwTRNOa?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 30, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105091959341912226?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Marchenko drops Dobson [pic.twitter.com/ue9mALQ43h](https://t.co/ue9mALQ43h?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 30, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105097696180940802?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Third period:

> Alexandre Carrier doubles Montreal's lead [pic.twitter.com/23ocfLXRS1](https://t.co/23ocfLXRS1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 30, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105110239515418773?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> Cowan and Nylander connect on the goal [pic.twitter.com/X2JcsLWKP1](https://t.co/X2JcsLWKP1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 30, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2105112477428326886?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Final score was 3-2 Montréal.

Thoughts: 

- Marchenko, eh. Like he's been shot out of a cannon (yeah I used that in the GDT, sue me). The score doesn't show it, but he was outstanding and is the second best winger on the team
- I liked the depth for the most part, but I am very cool on Nick Paul so far
- The Leafs are not magically good defensively, but they at least have the puck more, and were in charge in this game minus one section in the first period
- Gavin McKenna seemed a bit nervous, and Darren Raddysh is not clicking yet
- Easton Cowan (shockingly) looked much better when he moved up to the Tavares line

Overall this was night and day to last year, even the good outings last year. Fast, fun, and far from perfect. Things are looking up.