Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe ruled out vs. Blackhawks for precautionary reasons

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe is ruled out of Monday’s game against the Chicago Blackhakws due to precautionary reasons. McCabe took a puck to the face during Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and did not return. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had indicated after Saturday’s game that McCabe will be fine, and explained why he’d miss Monday’s contest.

“Day-to-day, but I think he’ll be fine,” Berube said Monday via TSN’s Mark Masters. “Just a little precautionary tonight, but he should be good. Just the circumstances of it all I think it’s the best thing to do for the player. You know, you gotta be careful.”

Philippe Myers will factor into the lineup in McCabe’s absence. Myers’ lone appearance this season took place during an October 26 loss to the Boston Bruins. It’s likely that Myers will be placed alongside Morgan Rielly on Monday, while McCabe’s usual partner, Chris Tanev, will join Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

McCabe and Tanev have formed one of the NHL’s most effective defence pairing this season, controlling 55.8 percent of the expected goals with a plus-six goal differential at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick. McCabe has recorded five assists in 23 games and signed a five-year extension worth $4.51 million annually with the Maple Leafs on October 28.

It was a busy morning for the Maple Leafs overall, as Jani Hakanpaa was placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 16, while fellow defenceman Marshall Rifai was called up from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Rifai made a strong impression on the Maple Leafs during training camp and could be a potential option down the line for the team if the wave of injuries continue.

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