<h3>Prove Yourself.</h3>
&nbsp;
That is what should be going through the heads of 75% of this roster tonight. Yes, ha ha ha it&#8217;s Ottawa we never care, etc etc. That can be a fan mindset, but for the players, they need to be prepared to show how NHL ready they are. With about nine days left until the start of the Leafs&#8217; season, team staff will definitely be taking a closer look at what these men have to offer. We are just over halfway through the preseason, roster cuts are coming soon.
Tonight we will be seeing Engvall in a game for the first time this preseason since his injury. This will be our opportunity to see where he’s at currently. On that note, it could also be a chance for other teams to do the same. Will it be worthwhile for the Leafs to keep Engvall or trade him?  Are there any up-and-coming Leafs that could potentially take his spot? Can we save money by trading him? Truthfully we might lose him if we waive him. Maybe he will step up and take on a bit more responsibility. I know it is just one preseason game, but it will be interesting to see what happens with him.
Bunting is another player to keep an eye out for tonight. He’s a guy you don’t wanna play against, battles hard fights for the puck and makes opportunities for himself. 
Auston practicing more, he was there today in red. Seems to be making good progress and is still on track for opening night return.
Some people will play at home tomorrow <a href="https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1444741574752182282?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to Keefe</a>, but he also said not to pay too much attention to the lines he puts out. 
&nbsp;
Here is what the Leafs roster is looking like for tonight:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MapleLeafs</a> roster for tonight’s pre-season game at Ottawa (7 p.m.) <a href="https://t.co/k5KdpvLNR1">pic.twitter.com/k5KdpvLNR1</a>
&mdash; Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/1445013720640409602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
These are the projection of the lines from practice on Sunday:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Lines at Leafs practice
Group 1
Kerfoot &#8211; Kampf &#8211; Kase Bunting &#8211; Semyonov &#8211; Ho-Sang Robertson &#8211; Amadio &#8211; Spezza Engvall &#8211; Brooks &#8211; Simmonds Kopacka
Muzzin &#8211; Holl Sandin &#8211; Dermott Dalhstrom &#8211; Biega Hoefenmayer &#8211; Duszak
Campbell Kallgren
&mdash; Mark Masters (@markhmasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1444688223113039872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ottawa&#8217;s lines for tonight:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Game day lines:
Formenton Norris Batherson Stützle Pinto CBrown Sanford White Ennis Paul Agozzino Watson 
Chabot Zub Del Zotto Holden Mete JBrown
&mdash; TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN1200/status/1445033226653863944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Unlike the Leafs the Senators are very close to finalizing their opening night roster. That being said Tkachuk still isn’t signed, which seems to be a slight hindrance for head coach DJ Smith. Tkachuk hasn’t had any gameplay due to contract issues. Will he have time to jump in and connect with the team in a way that’ll be beneficial for everyone, or will this be more of a detriment to team chemistry?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
&quot;Do I want him here? Yeah. I&#39;d be sitting up here lying and saying no, he&#39;s a huge part of our team.&quot;
Senators head coach DJ Smith comments on still not having Brady Tkachuk at camp with just 10 days until their season opener. <a href="https://t.co/Xbv8oKz4Oy">pic.twitter.com/Xbv8oKz4Oy</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1445073677784072197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
In other news, both Keefe and Smith and putting full trust in <a href="https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1445051413801930752?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Campbell</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/gordwilson/status/1445034731293364229?s=21">Murray</a> tonight.
&nbsp;
Tonight&#8217;s game will begin at 7:00 pm EST and be available on Sportsnet.

Leafs Travis Dermott and Senators Connor Brown battle for puck in game at Canadian Tire Centre

<h3>Prove Yourself.</h3>
&nbsp;

That is what should be going through the heads of 75% of this roster tonight. Yes, ha ha ha it's Ottawa we never care, etc etc. That can be a fan mindset, but for the players, they need to be prepared to show how NHL ready they are. With about nine days left until the start of the Leafs' season, team staff will definitely be taking a closer look at what these men have to offer. We are just over halfway through the preseason, roster cuts are coming soon.

Tonight we will be seeing Engvall in a game for the first time this preseason since his injury. This will be our opportunity to see where he’s at currently. On that note, it could also be a chance for other teams to do the same. Will it be worthwhile for the Leafs to keep Engvall or trade him?  Are there any up-and-coming Leafs that could potentially take his spot? Can we save money by trading him? Truthfully we might lose him if we waive him. Maybe he will step up and take on a bit more responsibility. I know it is just one preseason game, but it will be interesting to see what happens with him.

Bunting is another player to keep an eye out for tonight. He’s a guy you don’t wanna play against, battles hard fights for the puck and makes opportunities for himself. 

Auston practicing more, he was there today in red. Seems to be making good progress and is still on track for opening night return.

Some people will play at home tomorrow <a href="https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1444741574752182282?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to Keefe</a>, but he also said not to pay too much attention to the lines he puts out. 

&nbsp;

Here is what the Leafs roster is looking like for tonight:

https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/1445013720640409602?s=20

These are the projection of the lines from practice on Sunday:

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1444688223113039872?s=20

Ottawa's lines for tonight:

https://twitter.com/tsn1200/status/1445033226653863944?s=21

Unlike the Leafs the Senators are very close to finalizing their opening night roster. That being said Tkachuk still isn’t signed, which seems to be a slight hindrance for head coach DJ Smith. Tkachuk hasn’t had any gameplay due to contract issues. Will he have time to jump in and connect with the team in a way that’ll be beneficial for everyone, or will this be more of a detriment to team chemistry?

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1445073677784072197?s=20

&nbsp;

In other news, both Keefe and Smith and putting full trust in <a href="https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1445051413801930752?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Campbell</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/gordwilson/status/1445034731293364229?s=21">Murray</a> tonight.

&nbsp;

Tonight's game will begin at 7:00 pm EST and be available on Sportsnet.

Closer looks at Leafs roster in second game against Senators

Max Domi and Bobby McMann of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Recent articles from Marsha Joseph

Breaking News