Beyond the fact the opposition are ranked first and fourth respectively in the Eastern Conference and that this back-to-back is on the road, the Marlies roster is looking a lot thinner than it was a few weeks ago.
Kasperi Kapanen is currently in Finland for the World Juniors, while Nikita Soshnikov and Frederik Gauthier are both injured and not expected to feature this weekend.
Brett Findlay has been recalled to bolster the ranks, joining recent recalls Jack Rodewald and Ryan Rupert.
It’s between the pipes where the Marlies are looking most scant, however.
With Garret Sparks out long term and the status of Reimer still undetermined, the Leafs will call up Antoine Bibeau to back up Jonathan Bernier, leaving the Marlies with Rob Madore as the only goaltender on the books.