Rick Stewart
The Leafs cross the border to battle the Sabres tonight, heading right into the teeth of the shopping madness that is Black Friday.
As noted by our own James Mirtle in today's paper, Clarke MacArthur returns to his old stomping grounds in Buffalo as Toronto's leading scorer. Discarded by the Thrashers this summer, the winger has been a revelation, finding some real chemistry with linemates Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski to form a surprisingly potent scoring unit.
Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is another guy to keep your eye on this weekend, starting on back-to-back nights on the road against divisional opponents.
Mirtle is currently stuffing his face with delicious wings at the Anchor Bar, but he'll file an entry in this space shortly after noon.
Until then, the links:
This week's Globe Hockey Roundtable podcast focuses on the first quarter for the Leafs, Habs and Senators. Roy MacGregor steals the show.
Toronto Star reporter Kevin McGran says Jean-Sebastien Giguere is eyeing Tuesday as a possible return date from a groin injury.
McGran also declares the Kris Versteeg for Viktor Stalberg deal a draw.
The Toronto Sun's Bill Lankhof says these are not the same old Leafs.
National Post reporter Sean Fitz-Gerald tries to talk to Phil Kessel about being benched.
Karina at Leafs HQ on Brian Burke's interactions with the media.
Vintage Leaf Memories wants to know who your favourite all-time Leafs are. This Port Colborne native suggests you vote for Teeder Kennedy.
Mike Harrington at the Buffalo News says Sabres' captain Craig Rivet will probably watch tonight's game as a scratch.
Harrington also reports forward Derek Roy should be good to go tonight.