When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Oyster squad: wingers

Evgeni Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals spins the wheel of his airship hard to port. Thunder hammers the sky around him. And lightning brushes against the airships wings. That was close. The ship speaks directly to his mind. I’ll be careful. Evgeni thinks back. You’re never careful. At least Alex is here. The ship is of course referring to Washington Capital Alex Ovechkin, who is on the deck of the airship, fighting for his life.

Alex is the strongest ever, at least that’s what he tells people, he’s also deceptively fast and totally viscous. Ordinarily Alex ends fights with the cybernetic cannon in his right arm, but that is not an option when he is fighting demons several hundred miles above Washington on a wooden platform shaped like an eagle. Instead Alex grapples with the infernal menace. If it weren’t for the Toronto Maple Leafs he would be in trouble.

Connor Brown knocks a demon off the side of the airship with his spear. Josh Leivo slams a demon onto the deck even as three more try to claw through his impervious skin. Andreas Johnsson slices and dices through the demons with his sword hands, hacked limbs litter the deck. Par Lindholm stays by Evgeni, guarding the helm.

Evegeni is annoyed that the Leafs are on his ship but he is even more annoyed that he needs them. The storm is getting worse. The airship doesn’t like when the weather gets rough. We need to keep them away from all the people down there. Just a little longer. Evgeni is in no way obligated to keep the airship comfortable but finds it way more peaceful in his mind when he does.

A demon gets behind Connor and slams him in the back with a bone hafted hammer. The Leaf turns with a smile and releases the kinetic energy he absorbed in a single energy blast which cuts the demon in half. Josh gets his hands around a demons neck and twists its head off. Andreas slices through a hand, then a snout, then a knee, then a throat, spinning and smiling all the while. Alex smashes a demon into pulp with every swing of his fists, but they will never stop coming for him. Gwimmar Hag the demon lord will never be satisfied until one of them was dead.

It was Evegeni’s idea to get Alex up in the air to keep the city safe. And Alex was certain that if they kept killing demons Gwimmar Hag would eventually show up in person. If the Maple Leafs hadn’t been in town the Capitals would have been overrun by now. Demons materialize into the air around Alex ceaselessly, but Evegeni notices a change in them.

“They are getting smaller!” He shouts to Par above the noise of the storm.

The Leaf shouts something back but a crack of thunder swallows his words. Evgeni pushes the steering column forward hard and the airship dips its nose earthward just in time to avoid getting clipped by the lightning that lances out from the clouds. Blinded by the flash, Evgeni pulls back against the force of gravity. As his vision clears he sees that the tide of battle has shifted. The demon army is gone, the heroes are scattered about the deck of the airship and the great Gwimmar Hag stands in their midst. The airship wails at the terrible claws digging into the deck.

Ignoring the risk Alex unveils his cybernetic arm cannon and blasts the demon lord full in the face. Laughing, the demon steps forward and raises a massive fist, bringing it down with the force of an avalanche, hoping to crush his hated foe. Connor steps under the blow just before it lands. He absorbs the demons strength and uses it to fuel his own, holding Gwimmar Hag tight. Josh leaps into the demons head, pummeling his face. Gwimmar Hag grabs the pesky Leaf and bites him, thinking to tear him in half. Instead the demon breaks its teeth on Josh’s impervious skin. Andreas steps up close and begins cutting at the demon lords tree trunk legs. He doesn’t manage to hack one off, but Gwimmar Hag staggers under the onslaught. Par open fire with his assault rifle. His superpower is linked to the weapon, it doesn’t take a clip, instead it fires hard light projectiles that Par creates with a thought. The effect is that his stream of fire is endless. The beleaguered demon lord shudders as it struggles to maintain its hold on to physical existence.

Another blinding flash of light fills the sky, but this time it is not from the storm. Auston Matthews shines as he lands on the deck. His brilliance is directed at Gwimmar Hag and the demon writhes with agony under the light. Josh pulls himself out of the demons mouth, Par stops shooting, Connor and Andreas step back. Gwimmer Hag whimpers as its flesh begins to boil in the glare. Auston stabs his short sword down between the demon lords eyes. It shudders once and then the ancient horror is no more.

“Gross.” Auston says.

“I owe you one.” Alex says.

“You’re right you do.” Auston agrees.

The Leafs cheer, annoying Evegeni even more.