Maple Leafs Receive Great News Ahead of Senators Showdown

The Toronto Maple Leafs play their first game in almost three weeks on Saturday as they welcome the Ottawa Senators to an empty arena. While the team is disappointed no fans will be in the building they are excited to get back some familiar faces to their lineup.

Marner and Sandin will play tonight, per Keefe. Rielly, Muzzin, Nylander are question marks, per Keefe.
— David Alter (@dalter) January 1, 2022

Mitch Marner has been out of the lineup for close to a month after defenseman and close buddy Jake Muzzin and him collided mid-practice. The check sent Marner to the injured reserve with a shoulder injury and now he's excited to get back into the lineup. Head coach Sheldon Keefe will start Marner back on the top line with Auston Matthews and Michael Bunting.

Muzzin and Kivihalme are the only D pairs left late during the morning skate. Ritchie is the only forward remaining up front. Those appear to be the scratches for tonight. Looks like we may see Alex Biega make his #Leafs debut.
— David Alter (@dalter) January 1, 2022

Alex Biega is a player to watch on Saturday for Leafs Nation. The veteran defenseman has played this season in the American Hockey League and looks to provide the team with some much needed depth on the blue line. He also happens to be right-handed and if he can show that he can be trusted with the big club, there's a greater chance the team moves on from Justin Holl sooner than later.

Defenseman Rasmus Sandin will also return to the lineup for the Buds on Saturday night. He last played on December 5 against the Winnipeg Jets and left the game after being kneed by Jets' defenseman Neal Pionk.

Goaltender Jack Campbell will be back between the pipes for the Maple Leafs as he looks to build on his Vezina award winning type of season. The pending free agent has collected a 15-5-3 record with a 1.94 GAA and a .937 save %. Regardless of Petr Mrazek being healthy, the net in Toronto is 'Soup's' and look for the veteran to continue his hot run in 2022.

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