Leafs recall Kyle Clifford, 7 others from the Marlies ahead of Game 6

The Toronto Marlies were eliminated by the Belleville Senators earlier this week from the AHL playoffs, where the main story was how Kyle Clifford attacked Senators forward Boko Imama in the handshake line.

Clifford, along with Topi Niemela, Alex Steeves, Mikko Kokkonen, Nick Abruzzese, Max Lajoie, Dylan Gambrell and Dennis Hildeby were the players recalled by the Leafs.

Before anyone overreacts, this is typical of NHL teams to do once their affiliate is eliminated from the playoffs. For those unaware, the Leafs only recalled these players because they are on NHL deals, which is why Kieffer Bellows is not among them.

None of these players are expected to play or should expect to play in the playoffs. The recalls give the Leafs extra bodies to conduct practices with and allow their regulars to take more optional skates without hindering what can be done at practice.

The Leafs, dependent on the status of Auston Matthews, will likely be using the same lineup tonight that they used in their Game 5 victory in Boston in the hopes of pushing the series to a seventh and deciding game.