Preseason Game #5: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

New Leafs number-one Frederik Andersen will make his preseason debut in Saskatoon tonight versus the Ottawa Senators (9:30 p.m. EST, TSN 4 & 5).

Mike Babcock told News Talk 650 CKOM this morning that Andersen will be relieved of the net after the first period if he is too busy based on the shot count — an extra precaution to avoid reinjury in his first game back following his layoff. Andersen sustained an upper-body injury in an Olympic qualifying game for Team Denmark on September 2.

With Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri getting the night off, Babcock told CKOM that William Nylander will shift to center for tonight’s game, but clarified that he will be a winger to start the regular season. Auston Matthews will also line up down the middle in his second preseason appearance; with Nylander centering another line, Babcock will sample Mitch Marner, who will also feature tonight, on Matthews’ right wing.

Also among the center group tonight is Byron Froese, who is expected to make his second appearance of the preseason. A full-time Leaf last season prior to a hand injury, Froese has been an afterthought in camp to date. He will be looking to keep his name in the mix for the fourth line center spot, which has been occupied by Brooks Laich — who appears to be the favourite for the 4C role, although he’s probably a better winger at this stage of his career — and Frederik Gauthier in preseason so far.

Peter Holland, coming off a couple of strong showings on the wing in his two preseason games, appears to be getting a look back at center, with Laich moved to the left.

Babcock also confirmed that Nikita Zaitsev will be in the lineup tonight for his second preseason appearance after an impressive debut versus Montreal.

After the game on Sunday, Babcock spoke about looking forward to the chance to challenge some of the Leafs‘ young talent against NHL defencemen and NHL lineups. He looks like he will get his wish. After defeating a Habs team short on NHL regulars with a lineup closely resembling the Leafs‘ expected opening-day group, the script will flip tonight. The Senators are expected to dress five top-six forwards, their entire NHL defence group, and play their number-one goalie the full six minutes. All told, the Leafs are dressing 3,086 NHL games worth of experience to the Senators’ 7,029, based on the projected lineups made available by Les Lazaruk.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators Projected Rosters

Toronto Maple Leafs Projected Lines

Ottawa Senators Projected Lines

11 forwards, 7 defencemen

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