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Clarkson set to make Leafs debut following suspension

David Clarkson;  Patrick Wiercioch

Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson, left, snaps the puck past Ottawa Senators defeneseman Patrick Wiercioch, right, during thesecolnd period of an NHL preseason hockey game in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

AP

Toronto Maple Leafs fans will finally get their first look at David Clarkson in a regular season game.

Clarkson’s 10-game suspension for leaving the bench to fight Buffalo’s John Scott in a preseason game is through and tonight he’ll be suiting up on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets. As the Canadian Press’ Stephen Whyno shares, he’s ready to get it started.

“It’s like Christmas: You used to open up the box there’d be a chocolate and then another chocolate,” Clarkson said jokingly. “I got a box at home, I get my daughter to open it. No, but I’ve been definitely checking off the dates and getting ready to go.”

Clarkson practiced on a line with Dave Bolland and Mason Raymond on Thursday and that line was already one of Toronto’s more productive ones this season.

Of course, Joffrey Lupul departed practice after being struck on the foot by a Paul Ranger shot so they may not be at as loaded up front as they hoped. Nikolai Kulemin is still out with an ankle injury.

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