Sean Avery stops by Leafs Morning Take after Toronto’s 5-4 win over the Rangers, praising Troy Stecher’s late-game heroics, Easton Cowan’s play and the bench’s newfound passion. He notes the Leafs’ three‑game streak, a heated power‑play (7‑for‑11 recent), and depth scoring from the Duhaime‑Blueger‑MacEwen line. Avery also weighs in on Auston Matthews’ early-season impact, the Matthew Knies‑Kirill Marchenko trade, and the blue‑line injury updates (Marshall Rifai, Nick Blankenburg, with Dakota Mermis next). The segment wraps with a fashion “JAY or NAY” ranking and a preview of the upcoming Leafs‑Oilers showdown in Edmonton.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, fresh off three straight wins, head west for a four‑game road swing that opens against Western Conference‑leading Edmonton. Captain Connor McDavid has exploded in his 12th season, posting eight goals and a league‑best 31 points in 10 games. Former Oilers teammate Jack Roslovic says facing McDavid is a "fun challenge" and is eager to test himself on the Leafs’ top line alongside Auston Matthews, who sits fifth in NHL scoring with 18 points in 12 games. The matchup pits Roslovic’s renewed pace against his old club as the Leafs aim to extend their streak to four.
Yaroslav Askarov shines as the San Jose Sharks snap their winless streak with a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 23, 2026. The rookie netminder delivered an even stronger performance than his recent game against Toronto, earning his first career shutout and solidifying the Sharks' first regulation win of the season. Captain Macklin Celebrini remains goalless, but Askarov's heroics propel the team forward.
The Bulls never led, turned it over 27 times and shot 4 of 36 from three in a 135-92 opening-night loss to the Raptors in Toronto.
The post Bulls Routed 135-92 by Raptors in Season Opener appeared first on On Tap Sports Net .
Toronto captain Auston Matthews is soaring early in the 2026‑27 season, tallying eight goals and 18 points in 12 games while ranking fifth in league scoring. New internal data shows his skating speed is the best in five years, which he says has boosted playmaking for linemates Jack Roslovic and Kirill Marchenko. As the Leafs head into a four‑game road trip, Matthews prepares for a marquee showdown against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who sit at 31 points in 10 games. Teammates praise his tenacity and game‑breaking ability, highlighting his growing role as a premier two‑way forward.
The Raptors opened the season with a dominant 124‑81 win over the Chicago Bulls, their biggest margin in franchise history. Starters tallied 92 points while the bench—dubbed the new Bench Mob 2.0 featuring Jamison Battle, Allen Graves, Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray‑Boyles—provided solid defense, playmaking and three‑point shooting. Immanuel Quickley hit four-of‑nine from downtown, signaling a shift toward higher volume threes. Concerns linger for center Jakob Poeltl, who managed only three points in 22 minutes, especially with a tougher interior test looming against Anthony Davis and the Washington Wizards. The article previews the upcoming matchup and its potential impact on Toronto’s new identity.
The Washington Wizards opened the 2026‑27 season with a 1‑0 win and a lively halftime show featuring rapper Waka Flocka Flame. The performance, captured at the Oct. 21 home opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, added excitement to an already energetic atmosphere, despite the arena not being sold out. Fans praised the event, recalling the Wizards' past Concert Series, and look forward to the team’s next game versus the Toronto Raptors. Highlights of Waka Flocka’s set are shared via social‑media clips.
The Toronto Maple Leafs don't seem to be interested in trading Easton Cowan, but they have some other pieces they could move for a defenseman.
The Toronto Marlies steamroll the Hamilton Hammerheads 4‑1 for their fourth straight win, extending a perfect 4‑0‑0 season record against the Hammers. Goalie Samuel Hlavaj earns first‑star honors after a key early stop on Matthew Highmore, while rookie forward Aleksi Räty nets his first Marlies goal and defenseman Filip Holinka records his first AHL assist. Toronto dominates throughout, with the decisive scoring burst coming in the second period.
The Leafs head into a four‑game road swing with several veterans on the injury list. Defenseman Chris Tanev remains week‑to‑week with an upper‑body issue but will travel, while captain John Tavares is also week‑to‑week after a hurt in Saturday’s loss to Buffalo and will stay home. Dakota Joshua stays on a conditioning loan after a core injury, and Nick Blankenburg and Marshall Rifai land on IR. Call‑ups Cole McWard and Dakota Mermis are set to suit up, with Mermis likely to play against the Oilers, who feature Connor McDavid’s league‑leading 31 points. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky receives a scheduled maintenance day.
The 2026-27 NBA season is underway, and no team had an opening-night victory like the Toronto Raptors. It’s just one game, but by spring, many will look back and see that Toronto is this year’s clear dark-horse contender. Toronto opened 2026-27 with a dominant 43-point victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. The Raptors’ […]
The post The Toronto Raptors Are Undoubtedly This Year’s Breakout Team appeared first on The Lead .
Former Blue Jays top prospect Nate Pearson has turned heads with the Kansas City Royals in 2026. After being traded from Houston on July 22, he posted an impressive 0.43 ERA, 20 strikeouts and three saves in his first 20 appearances, suggesting he could anchor the Royals’ bullpen next season. However, a sharp decline after September 13 – a 21.60 ERA over his final six outings – raised concerns. With arbitration eligibility still ahead and a potential raise beyond his $1.35 million 2025 salary, the Royals must decide whether to retain the injury‑marred but high‑upside right‑hander.
The Toronto Maple Leafs recall defensemen Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies after injuries to Marshall Rifai and Nick Blankenburg on Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers. Mermis, 32, posted seven points in 27 regular‑season AHL games and helped the Marlies win the 2026 Calder Cup, and has one NHL goal from last season. McWard, 25, tallied 27 points in 63 AHL games with Bridgeport and appeared in three NHL contests earlier this year. Both are on one‑year deals (Mermis $812.5K, McWard $875K) as the Leafs brace for a tough Western Canada road trip.
The Washington Wizards began the 2026-27 season on a high note. After the team averaged only 16.7 victories per season over the last three years, the energy is
On October 23, 1993, Joe Carter capped the Toronto Blue Jays' comeback with a dramatic three‑run walk‑off home run in the bottom of the ninth, clinching a 4‑2 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 at Exhibition Stadium. The Jays had surged early, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding key hits from Paul Molitor, Roberto Alomar and Ed Sprague. After a Phillies rally sparked by Lenny Dykstra, Toronto’s bullpen held firm, and Mitch Williams faced the tying run before Carter’s historic blast. Molitor earned series MVP with a .500/.571/.1000 line, while Carter finished .280/.250/.560 with eight RBI. The post reflects on the moment’s lasting impact 33 years later.
Former professional hockey player Madison Packer joins Michael Traikos and Ryan Kennedy to discuss Easton Cowan’s successful start with the Maple Leafs, the St. Louis Blues’ competitive outlook, and more.
Former Tar Heel Caleb Wilson debuted for the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21, 2026, posting 16 points, four rebounds, three steals, a block and nine turnovers, but a franchise‑worst –45 plus/minus stole the headlines. The blog breaks down three takeaways: the Bulls’ night was a collective shooting disaster (4‑36 from three) and point guard Josh Giddey’s poor play hurt Wilson’s line, Wilson’s instinct‑driven decisions led to turnovers against elite defenders like Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, and when he stuck to his strengths he showed promise with several dunks, a smooth mid‑range fadeaway and solid defense. The piece argues the plus/minus is misleading and previews how Wilson can grow with better support and pacing.
The Toronto Raptors aim to repeat their opening‑night fireworks after crushing the Chicago Bulls 135‑92, the biggest home‑opener win in franchise history. Kawhi Leonard returns with 23 points, joined by Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley (23 each) and RJ Barrett’s 20. On Friday they face a Wizards squad that opened with a 128‑116 win over Milwaukee, highlighted by Anthony Davis’s 34‑point, 12‑board effort and Trae Young’s 20 points and 13 assists. The preview flags the duel between Leonard and Davis, the importance of Raptors’ turnover pressure, and a predicted 114‑108 Raptors victory.
In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Eric Cruikshank and Michael Traikos break down Connor McDavid's incredible five-point game against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs' depth stepping up in a win over the New York Rangers.
Predicting the future!
The post RR Readers & Listeners Predictions first appeared on Raptors Republic .
The Toronto Maple Leafs edged the New York Rangers 5-4 on Oct. 23, 2026, showcasing a new team identity anchored by passion and depth. Coach Jim Hiller praised the fourth line—Zack MacEwen, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime—which contributed seven points and relentless forechecking. Defenseman Troy Stecher capped the win with a decisive goal 28 seconds left, while forward Nick Paul drew a crucial penalty in the final moments. Hiller highlighted the line’s chemistry, the impact of role players, and the growing cohesion that could shape a playoff‑ready squad.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are starting to find some momentum. Thursday night’s 5-4 win over the New York Rangers, sealed by Troy Stecher’s goal with 26.3 seconds remaining, gave Toronto…
The Toronto Maple Leafs' depth players stepped up in a big way on Thursday, elevating the team to a 5-4 win over the New York Rangers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs extend their winning streak to three games with a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers, propelled by a hot fourth line. Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen combined for seven points — the first of the season for each after signing on July 1 — and Duhaime says the unit will keep “snowballing” as chemistry builds. Their play complements Toronto’s top-ranked penalty kill and helped secure a 6‑4‑2 record through 12 games. Duhaime also praised Troy Stecher’s game‑winner and his hard‑nosed style.
Dylan Garand finally came back down to earth, Adam Fox piled up the assists, and a late goal stung. Plus: where the goalie search should go from here.