TSN Toronto reporter Mark Masters checks in with news and notes from Maple Leafs practices and game-day skates. The Maple Leafs practised at the MasterCard Centre Monday before departing for Edmonton to take on the Oilers.

- Connor McDavid has been held without a point in just 22 of his 68 career NHL games, but one of those goose eggs came in Toronto earlier this month when the Leafs beat the Oilers 3-2. Nazem Kadri was matched against Edmonton's captain during that game, scoring twice, including the overtime winner. "Just try and get in his way, be physical, be hard on him," said Kadri when asked how he slowed down McDavid. "Obviously, he's a great player and he's got a great skill-set, so if you're not hard on him then he's going to make plays and embarrass you and do what he wants. You got to bump him whenever you can and just try and agitate him a little bit." Connor Brown, McDavid's linemate in Erie (OHL), was on Kadri's right wing during that game. "We were making him skate through us," Brown said. "We weren't letting him build his speed. If he gets to top speed he's tough to stay with so you have to stick with him before he gets there and kind of take away his ice early." Brown can't recall many times when McDavid was held in check during his OHL career. "He'll be looking to redeem himself," Brown said. Kadri also expects the teenaged phenom to be fired up for the rematch. "I'm sure he's going to be eager to get after us," Kadri said. 

- Kadri started getting the tough defensive assignments midway through last season and head coach Mike Babcock believes he's adapting well to the role. "I think his growth, as far as any player in the league, in the last year has been phenomenal," Babcock said. "He's got a long way to go. At home, he's got an assignment, on the road sometimes he doesn't have the same detail in his game so he's got to learn to play in both places and be dialed in in both spots." It will be harder for Babcock to match Kadri against McDavid on Tuesday, because the Oilers will have last change. Babcock raised eyebrows after the previous matchup by suggesting that McDavid fatigued, because Oilers coach Todd McLellan played him too much (22:46). "At home, you're blessed with match-ups, on the road they get what they want most of the time and you have to find a way to outplay the guy across from you," Babcock said. "When you're really deep, it doesn't matter as much at home and the road, but when you're not quite as deep, you can tell." The Leafs have just one win in 10 road games this season. 

- At Monday's practice, Nikita Soshnikov remained on left wing with Kadri and Leo Komarov. All three players enjoy mixing it up with their opponents. "We were talking about that," Brown said with a laugh. "I think that may be one of the more annoying lines in the league. They play hard, all three of them, they're tough to play against, a lot of skill involved too so it's a good mix." Tyler Bozak is certainly glad he doesn't have to face that trio. "I was joking with someone before the game that I'd be pretty annoyed if I had to play against those guys all night," Bozak said. "They do a good job. They're always above the puck. They stay on top of guys. They finish their checks. They, you know, can do a little stick work here and there (smile) so they'd definitely be a tough line to play against night in and night out."

- After missing Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, William Nylander returned to the ice at Monday's practice skating on the fourth line alongside Matt Martin and Ben Smith. "It's completely understandable. I just have to get back into the swing of things," the 20-year-old said when asked about his new line assignment. Nylander confirmed that the injury took place in practice and the medical staff eventually ruled him out of Saturday's game even though he was able to take part in the morning skate. Babcock has pushed the rookie to increase his competitiveness in order to maximize his talent. How did Nylander feel he was playing before the injury? "I think it was going OK, maybe kind of a little slump and I want to get out of it for sure."

- Josh Leivo continues to practise with the Leafs, skating as an extra forward. Babcock was asked how the 23-year-old is progressing. "I think alright. I mean, he's going to have to get into a game here eventually and get playing, but we don't just give those away. You have to earn them." Leivo is currently listed as an injured non-roster player.

Lines at Leafs practice:

van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Marner
Hyman-Matthews-Brown
Komarov-Kadri-Soshnikov
Martin-Smith-Nylander 
Holland, Leivo

Rielly-Zaitsev
Gardiner-Carrick
Hunwick-Polak
Marincin-Corrado

Andersen 
Enroth