The Leafs are back at practice today as they gear up for their first game following the Christmas break, and unfortunately, Auston Matthews was not taking part. The Toronto Maple Leafs play host to the Detroit Red Wings tonight, who will look to bounce back after some major changes. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/detroit-red-wings/the-detroit-red-wings-have-shockingly-fired-head-coach-derek-lalonde-and-immediately-hired-a-replacement' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Red Wings fired head coach Derek Lalonde</a> and associate coach Bob Boughner on Thursday and replaced them with veteran bench boss Todd McLellan. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1872329997727441039'> </a></blockquote></div> With 16 seasons in the NHL, Todd McLellan is looking to spark a Detroit team that's near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Coaching changes often provide a spark, and the Leafs can expect an inspired effort out of the Red Wings. Detroit will be determined to kick off the McLellan era with a win, and because of that, this battle will be far more challenging than the standings may ultimately suggest. Of course, the Leafs have their own set of problems, though. Auston <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/craig-berube-speaks-about-auston-matthews-return-timeline-and-how-serious-the-injury-is' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews, who has been out the last two games with an upper-body injury</a>, didn't take team practice today. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1872681215838589128'> </a></blockquote></div> This is an indication that he took some sort of setback and won't be available for tonight either. Auston <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/auston-matthews-8479318' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews</a>' absence really is a huge hole in the Toronto lineup, as his scoring and defending are so crucial to them. John <a href='https://thehockeywriters.com/maple-leafs-news-rumors-matthews-murray-domi-mclellan/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Tavares has carried the offensive torch for Toronto during Matthews' absence</a>, recording both Leafs goals in the loss to Winnipeg on Monday while he's posted five goals and six assists in his last seven games. Mitch Marner, too, has remained hot, extending his assist streak to six straight games with his creative playmaking. The Core Four of the Leafs remains the backbone, but tonight they will be up against a different challenge: trying to counter a rejuvenated Red Wings team without their center star. It is about depth and resilience in this quest to keep Toronto competitive without Matthews.