<p>When we last saw Frederik Andersen he was regularly imploding in the Leafs net, and it seemed like his career was coming to an unfortunate end. The Hurricanes didn&#8217;t see it that way, and walked away from a promising goaltender they were developing in favour of giving more money to Freddie. It seems like it is working out fine for the Canes and Andersen, as he&#8217;s been off to a hot start this year. Probably the last thing the Leafs want to see when Mrazek, who was brought in from the Canes, is now sitting on the IR, and fans are regularly questioning what is wrong with the Leafs.</p>
<p>As for Andersen, perhaps last season was about him being hurt and needing a summer to get back on track. It could also be that Andersen, who was brought in while Babcock was coach, never really fit with the system that Sheldon Keefe had the Leafs playing in front of him. It&#8217;s probably not a coincidence that Andersen&#8217;s numbers went off a cliff in December 2019. Looks like Rob Brind&#8217;Amour&#8217;s approach is a better fit. The glorious dream of being the team that gets to light up Andersen with stars like Matthews, Tavares, and Marner seems a little less likely right now.</p>
<p>Of course that&#8217;s the biggest story for the Leafs tonight. After an underwhelming 2-3-1 start that is following up an underwhelming end to last season there is a need to get more from the Leafs star forwards not named William Nylander.</p>
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="220">LW</th>
<th width="220">C</th>
<th width="220">RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/michael-bunting/3778/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3778/Bunting-Michael_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Michael Bunting"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MICHAEL BUNTING</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/auston-matthews/3030/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2433/Matthews-Auston_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Auston Matthews"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">AUSTON MATTHEWS</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/william-nylander/2776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2375/Nylander-William_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="William Nylander"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">WILLIAM NYLANDER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/alex-kerfoot/3247/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2833/Kerfoot-Alexander_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Alexander Kerfoot"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">ALEXANDER KERFOOT</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/john-tavares/1018/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1016/Tavares-John_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="John Tavares"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JOHN TAVARES</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/mitchell-marner/2870/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2475/Marner-Mitch_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Mitch Marner"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MITCH MARNER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/pierre-engvall/4744/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4744/Engvall-Pierre_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Pierre Engvall"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">PIERRE ENGVALL</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/david-kampf/3341/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4620/Kampf-David_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="David Kampf"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">DAVID KAMPF</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ondrej-kase/3102/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2685/Kase-Ondrej_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ondrej Kase"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">ONDREJ KASE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nick-ritchie/2944/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2552/Ritchie-Nick_TOR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Nick Ritchie"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">NICK RITCHIE</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jason-spezza/1112/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1109/Spezza-Jason_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jason Spezza"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JASON SPEZZA</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/wayne-simmonds/776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/775/Simmonds-Wayne_TOR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Wayne Simmonds"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">WAYNE SIMMONDS</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/morgan-rielly/2319/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1935/Rielly-Morgan_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Morgan Rielly"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MORGAN RIELLY</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/t-j-brodie/199/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/199/Brodie-TJ_TOR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="T.J. Brodie"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">T.J. BRODIE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jake-muzzin/769/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/768/Muzzin-Jake_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jake Muzzin"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JAKE MUZZIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/justin-holl/3271/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2857/Holl-Justin_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Justin Holl"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JUSTIN HOLL</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/rasmus-sandin/4806/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4806/Sandin-Rasmus_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Rasmus Sandin"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">RASMUS SANDIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/travis-dermott/3263/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2849/Dermott-Travis_TOR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Travis Dermott"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">TRAVIS DERMOTT</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>So we&#8217;ve got a couple of changes happening in the top six. We&#8217;ve got Bunting and Nylander working with Matthews tonight, which seems like a good idea when you consider that Nylander and Bunting are two of the forwards who can&#8217;t be criticized for their effort this season.</p>
<p>The second line is a bit more of a mixed bag as Alex Kerfoot isn&#8217;t the kind of player to kick start Tavares or Marner, and in their pre-Matthews return time together neither of them really did much.</p>
<p>Ritchie will be joining Simmonds and Spezza on what should be a heavy hitting fourth line that is capable of sheltered offense. I&#8217;m not sure I really see the attachment to keeping the third line intact, but there hasn&#8217;t been much to criticize about that group, so I guess don&#8217;t fix what isn&#8217;t broke.</p>
<p>Beyond that, Liljegren is still in the press box and the defense group stays the same. At some point there needs to be a bit of a discussion around the Muzzin and Holl pairing not living up to their success in previous years.</p>
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="220">LW</th>
<th width="220">C</th>
<th width="220">RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jesperi-kotkaniemi/4788/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4788/Kotkaniemi-Jesperi_CAR-2022.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jesperi Kotkaniemi"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JESPERI KOTKANIEMI</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/sebastian-aho/3063/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2677/Aho-Sebastian.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Sebastian Aho"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">SEBASTIAN AHO</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/teuvo-teravainen/2556/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2128/Teravainen-Teuvo_2.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Teuvo Teravainen"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">TEUVO TERAVAINEN</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/andrei-svechnikov/4787/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4787/Svechnikov-Andrei.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Andrei Svechnikov"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">ANDREI SVECHNIKOV</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/vincent-trocheck/2392/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2006/Trocheck-Vincent_CAR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Vincent Trocheck"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">VINCENT TROCHECK</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/martin-necas/3214/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2804/Necas-Martin_2019_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Martin Necas"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">MARTIN NECAS</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nino-niederreiter/1908/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1553/Niederreiter-Nino_CAR_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Nino Niederreiter"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">NINO NIEDERREITER</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jordan-staal/1250/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1246/Staal-Jordan_2.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jordan Staal"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JORDAN STAAL</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jesper-fast/2452/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2059/Fast-Jesper_CAR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jesper Fast"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JESPER FAST</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jordan-martinook/2441/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2049/Martinook-Jordan.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jordan Martinook"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JORDAN MARTINOOK</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/derek-stepan/1061/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1058/Stepan-Derek_CAR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Derek Stepan"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">DEREK STEPAN</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/steven-lorentz/3916/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3916/Lorentz-Steven_CAR-2021_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Steven Lorentz"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">STEVEN LORENTZ</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jaccob-slavin/2946/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2516/Slavin-Jaccob_1.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Jaccob Slavin"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">JACCOB SLAVIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/anthony-deangelo/3060/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2664/DeAngelo-Tony_CAR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Tony DeAngelo"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">TONY DEANGELO</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/brady-skjei/2961/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2425/Skjei-Brady_CAR-2020_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Brady Skjei"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">BRADY SKJEI</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/brett-pesce/2931/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2541/Pesce-Brett_2.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Brett Pesce"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">BRETT PESCE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ian-cole/1317/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1313/Cole-Ian_CAR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ian Cole"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">IAN COLE</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ethan-bear/3856/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="jersey-image" src="https://i0.wp.com/api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3856/Bear-Ethan_CAR-2022_.png?w=1424&#038;ssl=1" alt="Ethan Bear"   /><br />
<span class="player-name">ETHAN BEAR</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Hopefully Wayne Simmonds will treat us to some Tony DeAngelo facepunching tonight. If the Leafs can&#8217;t win at least we can see the right face get punched.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, Frederik Andersen will be the starter for the Canes tonight and unfortunately Petr Mrazek&#8217;s health prevents him from getting his return to Carolina. Instead we&#8217;ll be treated to Jack Campbell who is looking to rebound from a rough Saturday night. Hopefully we won&#8217;t see Michael Hutchinson again in relief either.</p>
<p><em>Tonight&#8217;s game starts at 7PM ET and can be found on Sportsnet Ontario.</em></p>
</div>
</div>


When we last saw Frederik Andersen he was regularly imploding in the Leafs net, and it seemed like his career was coming to an unfortunate end. The Hurricanes didn't see it that way, and walked away from a promising goaltender they were developing in favour of giving more money to Freddie. It seems like it is working out fine for the Canes and Andersen, as he's been off to a hot start this year. Probably the last thing the Leafs want to see when Mrazek, who was brought in from the Canes, is now sitting on the IR, and fans are regularly questioning what is wrong with the Leafs.

As for Andersen, perhaps last season was about him being hurt and needing a summer to get back on track. It could also be that Andersen, who was brought in while Babcock was coach, never really fit with the system that Sheldon Keefe had the Leafs playing in front of him. It's probably not a coincidence that Andersen's numbers went off a cliff in December 2019. Looks like Rob Brind'Amour's approach is a better fit. The glorious dream of being the team that gets to light up Andersen with stars like Matthews, Tavares, and Marner seems a little less likely right now.

Of course that's the biggest story for the Leafs tonight. After an underwhelming 2-3-1 start that is following up an underwhelming end to last season there is a need to get more from the Leafs star forwards not named William Nylander.
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="220">LW</th>
<th width="220">C</th>
<th width="220">RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/michael-bunting/3778/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3778/Bunting-Michael_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Michael Bunting" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MICHAEL BUNTING</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/auston-matthews/3030/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2433/Matthews-Auston_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Auston Matthews" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">AUSTON MATTHEWS</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/william-nylander/2776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2375/Nylander-William_TOR-2020_.png" alt="William Nylander" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">WILLIAM NYLANDER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/alex-kerfoot/3247/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2833/Kerfoot-Alexander_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Alexander Kerfoot" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">ALEXANDER KERFOOT</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/john-tavares/1018/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1016/Tavares-John_TOR-2020_.png" alt="John Tavares" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JOHN TAVARES</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/mitchell-marner/2870/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2475/Marner-Mitch_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Mitch Marner" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MITCH MARNER</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/pierre-engvall/4744/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4744/Engvall-Pierre_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Pierre Engvall" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">PIERRE ENGVALL</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/david-kampf/3341/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4620/Kampf-David_TOR-2022_.png" alt="David Kampf" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">DAVID KAMPF</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ondrej-kase/3102/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2685/Kase-Ondrej_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Ondrej Kase" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">ONDREJ KASE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nick-ritchie/2944/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2552/Ritchie-Nick_TOR-2022_.png" alt="Nick Ritchie" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">NICK RITCHIE</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jason-spezza/1112/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1109/Spezza-Jason_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Jason Spezza" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JASON SPEZZA</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/wayne-simmonds/776/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/775/Simmonds-Wayne_TOR-2021_.png" alt="Wayne Simmonds" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">WAYNE SIMMONDS</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/morgan-rielly/2319/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1935/Rielly-Morgan_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Morgan Rielly" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MORGAN RIELLY</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/t-j-brodie/199/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/199/Brodie-TJ_TOR-2021_.png" alt="T.J. Brodie" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">T.J. BRODIE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jake-muzzin/769/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/768/Muzzin-Jake_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Jake Muzzin" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JAKE MUZZIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/justin-holl/3271/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2857/Holl-Justin_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Justin Holl" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JUSTIN HOLL</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/rasmus-sandin/4806/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4806/Sandin-Rasmus_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Rasmus Sandin" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">RASMUS SANDIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/travis-dermott/3263/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2849/Dermott-Travis_TOR-2020_.png" alt="Travis Dermott" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">TRAVIS DERMOTT</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
So we've got a couple of changes happening in the top six. We've got Bunting and Nylander working with Matthews tonight, which seems like a good idea when you consider that Nylander and Bunting are two of the forwards who can't be criticized for their effort this season.

The second line is a bit more of a mixed bag as Alex Kerfoot isn't the kind of player to kick start Tavares or Marner, and in their pre-Matthews return time together neither of them really did much.

Ritchie will be joining Simmonds and Spezza on what should be a heavy hitting fourth line that is capable of sheltered offense. I'm not sure I really see the attachment to keeping the third line intact, but there hasn't been much to criticize about that group, so I guess don't fix what isn't broke.

Beyond that, Liljegren is still in the press box and the defense group stays the same. At some point there needs to be a bit of a discussion around the Muzzin and Holl pairing not living up to their success in previous years.
<div id="forwards-container" class="three-col-table-wrap">
<table id="forwards" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Forwards" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th width="220">LW</th>
<th width="220">C</th>
<th width="220">RW</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="f1">
<td id="LW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jesperi-kotkaniemi/4788/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4788/Kotkaniemi-Jesperi_CAR-2022.png" alt="Jesperi Kotkaniemi" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JESPERI KOTKANIEMI</span></a></td>
<td id="C1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/sebastian-aho/3063/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2677/Aho-Sebastian.png" alt="Sebastian Aho" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">SEBASTIAN AHO</span></a></td>
<td id="RW1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/teuvo-teravainen/2556/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2128/Teravainen-Teuvo_2.png" alt="Teuvo Teravainen" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">TEUVO TERAVAINEN</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f2">
<td id="LW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/andrei-svechnikov/4787/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/4787/Svechnikov-Andrei.png" alt="Andrei Svechnikov" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">ANDREI SVECHNIKOV</span></a></td>
<td id="C2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/vincent-trocheck/2392/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2006/Trocheck-Vincent_CAR-2020_.png" alt="Vincent Trocheck" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">VINCENT TROCHECK</span></a></td>
<td id="RW2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/martin-necas/3214/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2804/Necas-Martin_2019_.png" alt="Martin Necas" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">MARTIN NECAS</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f3">
<td id="LW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nino-niederreiter/1908/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1553/Niederreiter-Nino_CAR_.png" alt="Nino Niederreiter" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">NINO NIEDERREITER</span></a></td>
<td id="C3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jordan-staal/1250/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1246/Staal-Jordan_2.png" alt="Jordan Staal" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JORDAN STAAL</span></a></td>
<td id="RW3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jesper-fast/2452/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2059/Fast-Jesper_CAR-2021_.png" alt="Jesper Fast" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JESPER FAST</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="f4">
<td id="LW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jordan-martinook/2441/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2049/Martinook-Jordan.png" alt="Jordan Martinook" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JORDAN MARTINOOK</span></a></td>
<td id="C4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/derek-stepan/1061/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1058/Stepan-Derek_CAR-2022_.png" alt="Derek Stepan" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">DEREK STEPAN</span></a></td>
<td id="RW4"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/steven-lorentz/3916/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3916/Lorentz-Steven_CAR-2021_.png" alt="Steven Lorentz" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">STEVEN LORENTZ</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div id="defense-container" class="two-col-table-wrap">
<table id="defense" class="playerlist" border="0" summary="Defense" cellpadding="5">
<thead>
<tr>
<th colspan="2" scope="col" width="475">DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr id="d1">
<td id="LD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/jaccob-slavin/2946/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2516/Slavin-Jaccob_1.png" alt="Jaccob Slavin" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">JACCOB SLAVIN</span></a></td>
<td id="RD1"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/anthony-deangelo/3060/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2664/DeAngelo-Tony_CAR-2022_.png" alt="Tony DeAngelo" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">TONY DEANGELO</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d2">
<td id="LD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/brady-skjei/2961/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2425/Skjei-Brady_CAR-2020_.png" alt="Brady Skjei" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">BRADY SKJEI</span></a></td>
<td id="RD2"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/brett-pesce/2931/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/2541/Pesce-Brett_2.png" alt="Brett Pesce" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">BRETT PESCE</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr id="d3">
<td id="LD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ian-cole/1317/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/1313/Cole-Ian_CAR-2022_.png" alt="Ian Cole" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">IAN COLE</span></a></td>
<td id="RD3"><a class="player-link" href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/ethan-bear/3856/" rel="follow" data-wpel-link="internal"><img class="jersey-image" src="https://api.dailyfaceoff.com/uploads/player/jersey/3856/Bear-Ethan_CAR-2022_.png" alt="Ethan Bear" width="110px" height="auto" />
<span class="player-name">ETHAN BEAR</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Hopefully Wayne Simmonds will treat us to some Tony DeAngelo facepunching tonight. If the Leafs can't win at least we can see the right face get punched.

As mentioned above, Frederik Andersen will be the starter for the Canes tonight and unfortunately Petr Mrazek's health prevents him from getting his return to Carolina. Instead we'll be treated to Jack Campbell who is looking to rebound from a rough Saturday night. Hopefully we won't see Michael Hutchinson again in relief either.

<em>Tonight's game starts at 7PM ET and can be found on Sportsnet Ontario.</em>

</div>
</div>

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