David Clarkson took it on faith that the Maple Leafs could win without him. Still, the waiting was the hardest part. That wait is almost over as Clarkson has served his 10-game suspension and will make his debut tonight at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Its fair to say he has been looking forward to this day for a long time. "Its like Christmas: You used to open up the box thered 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 Ive been definitely checking off the dates and getting ready to go." Clarkson earned an automatic ban from the NHL for leaving the bench to enter an altercation in the pre-season when Toronto played the Buffalo Sabres. The veteran right-winger didnt express much in the way of remorse for coming to the aid of Phil Kessel when he was matched up against tough guy John Scott, but regretted how the punishment affected the team. "I think you try to take something from it," he said. "No ones perfect and when you do things or things happen bad, you try and make a positive from it." The biggest positive is the Leafs 7-3-0 record without Clarkson, who acknowledged getting a different perspective on games from sitting up in the press box. "The boys have been winning, which makes it easier," he told reporters this week. "I got to watch a bit of hockey. But Ive watched enough, and Im ready to get back at it." While the Leafs are unsure if winger Joffrey Lupul or call-up Josh Leivo will be in the lineup at Columbus. Lupul is questionable for the game with a bone bruise and did not skate at morning practice. Leivo skated on the third line with Jay McClement and Nazem Kadri. Clarkson has been slotted on the second line with Mason Raymond and Dave Bolland. Clarkson recalled a suspension from his junior hockey days as prior experience but called this time sitting out the toughest thing he has had to endure in his career. Teammates made it easier with text messages and phone calls of support, but that was little consolation for missing the Leafs first game at the Montreal Canadiens and the home opener against the Ottawa Senators. All Clarkson could do was serve as a measure of moral support and a practice player. As the Leafs lost Nikolai Kulemin and James van Riemsdyk to injuries, they cycled through minor-league call-ups and Clarkson — who forfeited US $269,230.80 during the suspension — became the fill-in for line rushes. Not anymore. "Obviously its been a while that we have been waiting for him," coach Randy Carlyle said. "We see him every day, and were just looking at him to come in and add a piece to our puzzle." Clarkson expected a lot of himself after signing a $36.75-million, seven-year contract with the team he grew up rooting for. He conceded hell be "fired up" to play his first meaningful game in a Leafs uniform, but the 29-year-old knows he wont be able to do everything the first time he steps on the ice. "We think that he can make a contribution, but we dont want to put too much pressure on him," Carlyle said. "He hasnt played in a while. We just want him to do the simple things, be David Clarkson and make the simple, strong play." Clarkson figures being himself means going to the front of the net, scoring and bringing a physical presence — no different from his time with the New Jersey Devils. He learned a lot from deep playoff runs with the Devils, like how teams can win without playing pretty. That has been the Leafs so far. But Clarkson has felt great camaraderie within the team since training camp. "Its a great locker-room. Theres no cliques, everyones on the same page," he said. "Weve got something special here." Finally, Clarkson gets to be a part of it. Bryse Wilson Jersey .ca. 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Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.(SportsNetwork.com) - Its been more than two weeks since the Portland Trail Blazers were on display as the visiting team. The Trail Blazers had the fortunate luxury of playing at home the last seven games and will depart Rip City for Sundays showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Portland went 6-1 on the homestand and has won three in a row and 12 of its last 14 games, including Saturdays 103-92 victory over the Orlando Magic. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points, Wesley Matthews followed with 18 and Damian Lillard recorded 16 points, five assists and five rebounds. It was a win we needed to get. I like the way we came out in the first half, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. The Blazers had a 26-13 lead after the first quarter, but the Magic battled back and eventually made it 85-85. Portland responded with a 14-4 run and finished the game 47.4 percent shooting from the field. The Blazers turned the ball over 20 times for 23 Orlando points. Portland is 11-5 on the road and has won four of the last five as the guest. The Blazers will host the Clippers next on Wednesday. Los Angeles will continue its four-game homestand and kicked it off with Fridays 101-84 victory over the Magic, as Jeremy Lin scored 18 points and rookie Tarik Black posted 10 of hiis career-high 14 points in the fourth quarter.dddddddddddd Lin became the eighth reserve in the last 11 games to lead the Lakers in scoring. We played with a sense of urgency tonight, said Lakers forward Carlos Boozer, who added a double-double of 12 points and 14 boards. We made them take tough shots. When they missed, we didnt give them a second opportunity. The 17-point difference was the largest margin of victory for Los Angeles, which had a season-high 60-36 advantage in rebounds. Ryan Kelly had 13 points and Ed Davis chipped in 10 to go along with 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who made 40 percent from the field and played without Kobe Bryant (rest) for the second time in three games. The Lakers are 6-12 at home and will welcome Miami and Cleveland to town as well. They are 6-21 against the West (2-12 at home). Lakers guard Wesley Johnson (hip) is questionable Sunday. Portland won the first of four meetings with the Lakers on Jan. 5 and recorded a 98-94 triumph behind Lillards 39 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. Bryant did not play in that one for the Lakers, who will face the Blazers again on Feb. 11 and April 3. The Lakers have won six of the last nine games in this series, but are winless in back-to-back meetings as the host. ' ' '