The big day is finally here: the new NHL season is set to start in just a few hours. So before the first puck drops, get “the gist” on all things NHL.

The GIST: The NFL postseason’s Wild Card round is over, and what a wild weekend it was. While some moments were to be expected (Tom Brady in the playoffs...shocker), there were a few gamechangers we didn’t see coming.

The GIST: Look. We know we don’t talk about college football a lot, but tonight’s CFP National Championship is a big deal and is airing on TSN at 8 p.m. ET, with two undefeated teams looking to take home a hefty stack of hardware and solidify their names in college football history.

This week in sports.

2021 NFL playoffs begin this week

The GIST: It’s been a rollercoaster of a week in American politics, and, of course, sports had an important role to play in all the ups and downs. Let us take you on a journey through the start of 2021.

This week in college sports

The GIST: Now that we have the off-field antics straight, it’s time to look ahead to Wild Card weekend in the NFL. Our first-ever pop-up newsletter on Saturday morning will give you all the must-know details, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek.

The GIST: Time flies when you’re having fun. It feels like just yesterday that we were anxiously anticipating the start of the 2021 World Juniors, and now there are only four teams (including Canada, of course) and four games remaining in the tournament.

Erin Mielzynski, Toronto Raptors, NHL, World Juniors

The GIST: Yesterday was a wild day of football. And now, with the NFL regular season over, the postseason stage is set and teams like the usually pitiful Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills are moving on. 2021, we dig you already.

The GIST: Looking for something to watch while you recover from your Christmas dinner turkey coma or your Christmas hangover...or both? The NFL has you covered.