The Toronto Marlies will begin the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs without a trio of key contributors in the lineup. William Nylander and team captain Andrew Campbell did not take the morning skate at Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday and will miss Game 1 against the Albany Devils on Wednesday.

Nylander has been out of action due to an unspecified illness and it is unknown how long the 19-year-old will be out of action.

Winger Nikita Soshnikov skated prior to practice on Tuesday and head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the winger’s injury had improved, but not enough to crack the Toronto lineup.

Keefe named goalie Garret Sparks the starter for Game 1 on Wednesday. Sparks relieved Antoine Bibeau in the second period of Game 3 against Bridgeport last Thursday after allowing four goals on 12 shots. Sparks had two wins in the opening round sweep of the Sound Tigers and did not allow a goal in 88:08, while Bibeau has a 3.27 GAA in two starts.

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Listen to my interview with former Leafs Assistant GM Bill Watters, as we discuss Toronto’s lottery win, Auston Matthews, Stamkos and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.



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