News from the Rink: Ondrej Kaše probable for re-joining the Maple Leafs tonight, Campbell starts tonight and Mrazek tomorrow

The Leafs are back at it tonight in Las Vegas. A locale that the red hot Auston Matthews has thrived in…

After a long series of NHL/World Junior postponements, @rayferrarotsn and I are back with Toronto/VGK tonight on TSN4 for viewers in the Maple Leafs region. Toronto won the 1st meeting 4-0 at home Nov 2, Auston Matthews @AM34 scored twice, has 7 goals in 6 GP vs Vegas.

— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) January 11, 2022

With seven goals in six games in Vegas, and with Matthews just four goals off the Rocket Richard lead it would be great to see him take a run at Draisaitl’s spot while the Oilers play just once in the next couple of weeks.

Keefe says Kase felt good through the night that he didn't feel he had to skate this morning. One of those injuries that can flare up at any moment so he is still a game-time decision. Team will have an extra forward at warmup in case.

— David Alter (@dalter) January 11, 2022

The return of Kase is a good sign for the Leafs as he was taking line rushes with Auston Matthews’ line in yesterday’s practice. If he’s unable to go, I’d assume we’ll see the lines revert to what worked for the early part of the game against Colorado on Saturday. Tomorrow is a different situation as Marner and Engvall could potentially leave COVID Protocol, and it’s likely we see something more typical for the Leafs with Marner on the top line and Kase reunited with Kampf.

(Full Leafs lines can be found below.)

Holl on being one of the few #Leafs who has not had COVID: "It's one of those deals where you're pretty much powerless. If you're going to get it, you're going to get it … I really don't think about it day to day, but long term, I would hate to get it at a bad time."

— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) January 11, 2022

As Engvall and Marner prepare to leave the COVID protocol it’s important to note who still hasn’t been in it. Auston Matthews just dodged it, and there’s also Justin Holl. Considering the Coyotes are having a minor outbreak, but the game for tomorrow is still scheduled, it will be interesting to see if the Leafs take any precautions and put Timothy Liljegren in rather than risking the exposure for Holl.

In Matthews situation it seems unlikely that there is much that will keep him out of the lineup in Arizona tomorrow night.

Players taking part in the #Leafs optional skate at T-Mobile arena this morning: Bunting, Sandin, Anderson, Liljegren, Seney, Spezza, Biega, Mikheyev, Kerfoot, Campbell, Mrazek and Hutchinson.

— David Alter (@dalter) January 11, 2022

Campbell’s time on the ice was short lived as he is the starter for tonight. A significant number of regulars skating alongside the probable extras for Liljegren, Biega, Seney, Anderson, and Hutchinson. Looks like there was an emphasis on goalie work today.

This was pretty much expected with Campbell getting the start against Vegas. That is one hell of a long stretch of time off and not the first lengthy stretch for Mrazek this year. He’ll likely start making more frequent appearances soon.

UPDATE: @reporterchris says on TSN1050 Radio Toronto that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not interested in adding forward Evander Kane. #NHL

— The Puck Authority (@PuckAuthority1) January 11, 2022

Finally, Chris Johnston has thrown some cold water on the rumour that the Leafs have interest in Evander Kane. On Leafs Lunch, Darren Dreger additionally speculates that the Leafs don’t have interest in Kane based on both Kane’s off ice problems and the Leafs salary cap situation, which is interesting that it now seems likely that Kane might get more than league minimum. Dreger also confirms that the Oilers are one of the front runners.

Dreger also confirms that Kane is free to sign at any time and the grievance process is independent of that and no matter what his time on the Sharks is over.

Here is tonight’s lineup

LW	C	RW
MICHAEL BUNTING	AUSTON MATTHEWS	ONDREJ KASE
ALEXANDER KERFOOT	JOHN TAVARES	WILLIAM NYLANDER
ILYA MIKHEYEV	DAVID KAMPF	WAYNE SIMMONDS
KYLE CLIFFORD	JASON SPEZZA	NICK RITCHIE