Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe will not play in Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, head coach Craig Berube confirmed to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.
McCabe will miss his fifth consecutive game. The 31-year-old took a puck to the face during a November 30 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and hasn’t returned to action. He is currently listed as day-to-day. It was initially believed that McCabe wouldn’t miss any time, and there was an expectation that he would return for the Dec. 4 contest against the Nashville Predators. McCabe was placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 30 on Saturday, meaning that he’ll eligible to return whenever the Maple Leafs deem he’s ready.
As a result of McCabe’s injury, it appears likely that Chris Tanev will play with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while Philippe Myers will remain with Morgan Rielly. McCabe took reps alongside Marshall Rifai during Monday’s practice and he could potentially return for Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
McCabe has recorded five assists in 23 games. He has formed a true shutdown partnership alongside Tanev to begin the season, while the Maple Leafs have emerged as one of the NHL’s best defensive teams.
Max Domi is considered a game-time decision for the Maple Leafs, TSN’s Claire Hanna reports. Domi has missed Toronto’s past eight games due to a lower-body injury. He may be deployed in a third-line role once he’s able to return to the lineup.
Anthony Stolarz will start for the Maple Leafs against his hometown Devils. Stolarz has posted an 8-5-2 record with a .924 save percentage and a 2.22 goals against average this season, working in tandem with Joseph Woll.
Here is the Maple Leafs’ projected lineup, subject to change:
Max Pacioretty-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-William Nylander
Pontus Holmberg-Fraser Minten-Alex Nylander OR Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Connor Dewar-Ryan Reaves
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Anthony Stolarz (confirmed starter)
Joseph Woll
