The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally reactivated Jani Hakanpaa from injured reserve, and now it is expected he is going to make his debut tonight vs the Capitals. The Toronto Maple Leafs have activated defenseman Jani Hakanpaa from long-term injured reserve as his conditioning loan with the AHL's Marlies has expired. Hakanpaa played two games for the Marlies over the weekend, getting back on the ice for the first time since March as he works his way back from a knee injury. He hasn't appeared in an NHL game yet this season, <a href='https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/toronto-maple-leafs-activate-jani-hakanpaa-after-lengthy-injury' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>although it is expected he will play tonight</a>. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1856746351817814499'> </a></blockquote></div> The Leafs opened a roster spot for Hakanpaa on Tuesday by sending defenceman Matt Benning to the Marlies. Benning, acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks last month which sent Timothy Liljegren to San Jose, has not yet played a game with the Leafs after requiring a stop on waivers first. Standing in at 6-foot-7 and weighing 225 pounds, Hakanpaa inked a one-year, $1.47 million contract with the Maple Leafs on Sept. 11. The 32-year-old veteran has appeared in 288 career NHL games, recording 15 goals and 45 points between stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars. The Leafs will add more presence and physicality to their defense with the activation of Hakanpaa. They will return to the ice tonight versus the Washington Capitals. A perfect opportunity for Hakanpaa to make a statement since his very long recovery and for Toronto to solidify their D going into this year. The Leafs sure hope Hakanpaa can solidify their D <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/maple-leafs-get-booed-off-the-ice-after-second-period-to-the-senators-here-what-happened' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>after the blowout loss to the Senators last night</a> in which the team gave up well over 40 shots.