Mitch Marner is expected to return for the Maple Leafs on Saturday

The Maple Leafs are expected to activate Mitch Marner for the game Saturday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports. Marner has been on long-term injured reserve since Dec. 2 due to a shoulder injury. Marner suffered the injury in practice. The injury came just as Marner was playing well as he had two goals and four assists in his previous five games.

Marner doesn’t have the name recognition of Austin Matthews or John Tavares but is one of the best forwards in the game when healthy. The Maple Leafs are playing a different brand of hockey this season. In past years they played a wide-open style and have been criticized because although that style is fun to watch, it’s hard to win…