Toronto Maple Leafs: Pierre Engvall Unlikely to Play Against Vegas

The Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Beat Vegas Tonight

All signs point to the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs have no room for error moving forward before serious changes will be made.

The Leafs have lost five straight, while allowing 23 goals in those games, and seem to be completely uninspired. Of course, it does not help that the Leafs are having a serious case of the injury bug with Mitch Marner, Alex Kerfoot, and Trevor Moore out of the lineup.

Mike Babcock made some adjustments to the defensive pairings, which is something that Leafs fans have been begging for.

But is this what we wanted?

Pierre Engvall

Sure, maybe Travis Dermott can unlock the offensive game that Tyson Barrie has been lacking early on, and Justin Holl has played great thus far, but the biggest issue has been the top pairing, and nothing has been done.

After taking on Vegas tonight, the Leafs will continue their five game road trip against Arizona, Colorado, Detroit, and Buffalo. This tough series of games will seriously determine what changes will be made, whether on the ice, behind the bench, or in the press box.

The Leafs currently sit fifth in their division with a 9-9-4 record, and if they continue to play the way they are, a playoff spot is not guaranteed.

The Toronto Marlies top scorer Pierre Engvall was called up Monday after placing Trevor Moore on the IR, but still has not even made it to Vegas yet.

The 2014 seventh round draft pick is tied for first in points on the Marlies with seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 15 games. Engvall is likely to slot in alongside former teammate Frederick Gauthier and Nick Shore, and after being relied on as a goal scorer in the AHL, what kind of role will Engvall play for the Maple Leafs?

Engvall was absent from the Leafs practice yesterday and is unlikely to play tonight, but it will be interesting to see how he can impact the team, who need players like Engvall who can play a well-rounded style of play.

Golden Knights Recent Struggles

The Vegas Golden Knights have gone 1-4 in their last five games, but are coming off of a statement 6-0 win against Calgary on Sunday.

The Golden Knights have experienced some injuries early on, including the absence of forwards Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch, both players who may not put up massive numbers but play big roles for their team. Both have since returned to a now fully healthy lineup.

Tuch is apart of one of the strongest third lines in the NHL which also includes Paul Stastny and rookie Cody Glass, who will likely put the Leafs bottom-six to the ultimate test tonight, who are in the absence of some of their best depth forwards.

Marc-Andre Fleury has also continued right where he left off last season, with a 10-5-1 record and a .920 save percentage despite their struggles as of late.

Vegas currently sits fourth in their division with a 10-9-3 record in a tough Pacific division which is led by the Oilers and the Coyotes, and I can safely say I never thought I would be writing that.

There is absolutely no time to waste for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expectations have not been met, and they need to make adjustments immediately if their uninspiring effort continues to play out.