15 h. ago Toronto bars and restaurants getting major boost during Leafs playoff games

Toronto is abuzz with excitement after the Maple Leafs pulled off a Game 6 series-clinching win against the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the NHL playoffs, but bars and restaurants close to the action have extra reason to celebrate.According to data from Moneris, Canada's leading commerce provider, Toronto's restaurant industry, and those institutions in and around Scotiabank Arena in particular, saw a boost in customer spending during the first two games of the series.During game one, Moneris reports that food and beverage institutions near Scotiabank saw a five per cent increase in business, which, considering the game was played on a holiday Sunday, is no small feat.During game two, spending for the bars and restaurants in the area saw an even greater increase at six per cent.As for the bars and restaurants elsewhere in the city, Moneris' data also shows that, during the first two games of the series, bars and restaurants elsewhere in the c...

Politics

32 h. ago Toronto Maple Leafs break 'cursed' narrative and close out Senators series

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be playing a little bit longer this spring.Facing off against the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of their first-round series, the Leafs certainly made Thursday night one to remember.Max Pacioretty's first goal of the playoffs late in the third period — followed by a William Nylander empty-netter — gave Toronto a 4-2 win to knock off the Ottawa Senators and give the franchise just their second playoff series win since 2004.With Toronto winning the first three games of the series (two in overtime), they made their fans sweat by allowing Ottawa to come out victorious in the next two.For any longtime Leafs fan, the familiar feelings of existential dread, cursing of one's family lineage, and wondering who exactly to blame for the supposed cursed nature of their franchise began to set in. After Toronto was held scoreless in Game 5 in a 4-0 loss, it was easy to wonder if another all-time collapse was on the way.Auston Matthews broke the deadlock ...

Other

41 h. ago Extremist makeover: Edmonton Oilers suddenly bringing the ultra

Playoff Game Day 6: Oilers vs Kings This in from Tony Brar of Oilers TV, Edmonton’s lines for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Kings, a line-up full of players suddenly willing to bring the ultra-violence like they haven’t done all season. EDM lines – Thurs. Morning Skate: Draisaitl – McDavid – Perry Kane – […]

Other

41 h. ago Almost comical how much more physical Oilers are now compared to regular season

Playoff Game Day 6: Oilers vs Kings This in from Tony Brar of Oilers TV, Edmonton’s lines for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Kings, a line-up full of players suddenly willing to bring the nasty like they haven’t done all season. It’s almost comical how big the difference is between now and then the […]

Other

41 h. ago Extremist makeover: Edmonton Oilers suddenly bringing the nasty vs Los Angeles

Playoff Game Day 6: Oilers vs Kings This in from Tony Brar of Oilers TV, Edmonton’s lines for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Kings, a line-up full of players suddenly willing to bring the nasty like they haven’t done all season. It’s almost comical how big the difference is between now and then the […]

Other

55 h. ago The London Knights advance to the OHL Championship Series for the 3rd year in a row

The London Knights won their 12th consecutive playoff game to advance to the OHL Championship.

Sport

56 h. ago Chance to clinch a PWHL playoff spot eludes Ottawa Charge in shutout loss to Minnesota Frost

The Ottawa Charge had a chance to clinch its first ever playoff spot Wednesday night at TD Place but instead will now have to do things the hard way. In the last game of the season. In Toronto, where Ottawa’s playoff hopes crashed and burned in the regular-season finale last season. Potentially, mere hours before […]

Other

63 h. ago Canadian Tire Centre to host outdoor watch party for Game 6 of Senators

The Ottawa Senators will host an outdoor watch party for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, team president Cyril Leeder confirmed Wednesday morning. The event will take place outside Gate 1 of Canadian Tire Centre in the CIBC Red Zone, where a large screen will broadcast the game live. […]

Culture

3 d. ago Toronto Maple Leafs doing exactly the thing you thought they would in playoffs

Not to be dramatic, but the Toronto Maple Leafs might actually be cursed.The Buds were blanked in another blown opportunity to close out a playoff series on Tuesday night, bringing the Battle of Ontario to a nail-biting 3-2 lead for the Leafs after what seemed like an unbreakable 3-0 series advantage.The team has now posted an unthinkably terrible 2-14 record in series-clinching playoff games since 2004, following a 4-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators before a stunned crowd at Scotiabank Arena.Tuesday's loss proved just the latest chapter in what has become a saga of the Leafs' long-term struggles in close-out games.Like the years-long choke fest it contributed to, the game was replete with missed opportunities, frustrations, and the team's stars seemingly vanishing off the surface of the ice when it counted the most.Game 6 will bring the series back to Ottawa on Thursday, where the Leafs will have a third consecutive opportunity to close out the first round.Should...

Other

3 d. ago Will Arnett spotted hyping up Toronto Maple Leafs playoff crowd

The Toronto Maple Leafs turned to a bit of celebrity power to try to help them get going on Tuesday night.Down 1-0 in the second period in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup against the Ottawa Senators, Toronto-born actor and massive Leafs fan Will Arnett was brought out during a commercial break to lead the sold-out Scotiabank Arena crowd in a cheer.Toronto entered the night with a 3-1 lead on the series, but gave up the first goal of the night for the third game in a row to begin the night on an uphill battle.His appearance might've hyped up the crowd, but it didn't exactly have an immediate effect on the ice, as the Leafs entered the final frame of the game still being held scoreless.Will Arnett in the arena tonight for the Leafs v Sens pic.twitter.com/EIi1gSDubq— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) April 30, 2025Toronto is aiming to win just its second playoff series since 2004, coincidentally first-round win over the Senators in an epic seven-game set.For Arnet...

Other

4 d. ago Opinion: Downtown Edmonton can't afford the barrier of mobile

Imagine it: You arrive downtown for the playoff game of a lifetime. You park, hop out, and look for the familiar parking pay station — only to realize it’s gone. Instead, you’re scrambling to download an app, battling spotty Wi-Fi, missing the opening moments of a night you’ll never get back. Welcome to the new […]

Other

8 d. ago Edmonton Oilers legend Grant Fuhr weighs in on Stuart Skinner's playoff performance and team's Game 2 debacle

"They love you when you’re good, hate you when you’re not," Fuhr says

Culture

8 d. ago Leafs players roamed Toronto streets before playoff games and hardly anyone noticed

There's a common belief held that if you ever find yourself as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, your life will never be the same.With a rabid media market, eagle-eyed fans, and about as much pressure as any professional athlete could be expected to have, even fringe Leafs players are assumed to have a tough time being anonymous in Toronto.But that might not exactly be the case.Posted up on the corner of Bay and Front streets before Game 1 and 2 against the Ottawa Senators in the opening round of the playoffs this week, fan Brian Encarnacao shared a few videos on his Instagram page of Leafs players opting to walk down the street to Scotiabank Arena rather than take a car or public transit.With thousands of fans packed into Maple Leaf Square, the arena itself, and nearby bars, restaurants, and condos to watch the game, you'd imagine the players would be bugged by people trying to stop them for an autograph or a quick pic.One of the players spotted by Encarnacao before both...

Other

9 d. ago Edmonton Oilers get slapped in the mouth, have one foot in the grave

What’s worse than losing Game 2 of a playoff series to fall behind 2-0? Losing it the way the Edmonton Oilers did Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Edmonton didn’t just lose, it got smoked. Rolled over. Pummelled. Embarrassed. Beaten down and left for dead. If that 6-2 slap in the face was Edmonton’s best response […]

Other

1 week ago Former Calgary Stampeders receiver Colton Hunchak joins club's coaching staff

The Calgary Stampeders have rounded out their coaching staff with the addition of Colton Hunchak as special teams and offensive assistant. The Calgary native joins his hometown team’s coaching staff after concluding a five-season Canadian Football League playing career as a receiver, including 50 regular-season games and four playoff contests as a member of the Stampeders. “I’ve known Colton […]

Other

1 week ago Metallica frontman James Hetfield among stars at Toronto Maple Leafs playoff game

The Toronto Maple Leafs got a bit of hardcore help rooting them on Tuesday night.Taking on the Ottawa Senators in their second home game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a trio of celebrities found themselves in the crowd for the Battle of Ontario matchup.Metallica lead vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield was pictured in a box on the evening, and got a loud cheer from the crowd when shown on the Scotiabank Arena jumbotron midway through the second period.Enter Passion 🔵 @Metallica pic.twitter.com/1lFJxBhPEU— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 23, 2025Hetfield and his band are performing at the Rogers Centre this week on April 24th and 26th as part of their M72 World Tour.It's an eighty-leg world tour, with forty cities being visited for two dates each. They began the tour in 2023 and are concluding this fall, having already visited Montreal and Edmonton as their two previous Canadian tour stops.But he wasn't the only big name out cheering the team on.When in Toront...

Other

1 week ago As Hitmen prepare for Game 7, spotlight is on these playoff warriors

The Calgary Hitmen and the Lethbridge Hurricanes are tied at three games apiece in the second round of the WHL playoffs

Other

1 week ago 'That game was drunk': Hockey world reacts to Kings 6, Oilers 5

The Edmonton Oilers came back from a four goal deficit to tie the Los Angeles Kings at five, only to lose in the last minute of Game One of their Stanley Cup playoff series. Social media was on-fire about the game. Here are some of the highlights: Hockey commentator Paul Bissonnette @BizNasty2point0 We’re just supposed […]

Sport

1 week ago Introducing Rogers Xfinity Multiview: Watch multiple 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff games all on one screen

The best entertainment experience just got betterCustomers can watch two games at once with a free preview of Rogers Xfinity Multiview TORONTO, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs heats up, Rogers announced today a preview of Rogers Xfinity Multiview, a new service that gives Canadian […]

Other

1 week ago Whiteout parties a boon to downtown and Winnipeg’s morale, chamber says

The sudden growth of the downtown population during home playoff games is a huge boost to the city's economy, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce's Loren Remillard says.

Culture