Maple Leafs injury report: Can Toronto survive without seven regulars? – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs
If you’ve followed this team for any length of time, you know that the Toronto Maple Leafs have gone through a stretch where it felt like the entire roster was held together by duct tape, hope, and players on loan from the third row of the press box. Tuesday night’s game against the St. Louis Blues is one of those games. With seven regulars missing, the bench looked like a skeleton crew, but somehow the Maple Leafs found a way to wear themselves down through a game they probably didn’t deserve to win.
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What shocked me was not just who was out, but how normal the team looked. They didn’t seem alarmed. No slumped-shoulder body language. Just a cobbled-together lineup that understands the mission: Don’t sink.
At the end of the game, William Nylander’s overtime game-winner hung in the air like a sigh of relief, and you realized the story of the night wasn’t the injury itself. Regardless, that’s how the team keeps pushing.
Still, the team is missing key players. Who’s gone and what are their prospects for return?
Player One: Matthew Knies — Lower Body (Daily)
Matthew Nurse was scratched before the puck hit the floor with a lower-body sprain that the team dismissed as “not a long-term issue,” but was serious enough that he wasn’t an option. He’s taking it day-by-day, which in Maple Leafs parlance usually means, “We’ll try it again tomorrow and see if he can push away without flinching.”
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His absence also means the dominoes are starting to fall again. Sammy Blais may have thought he was having a quiet night all afternoon, and suddenly, he was thrown into the lineup. That’s been the rhythm of the Maple Leafs these past few weeks: One guy goes down, another comes up, and everyone hopes the whole thing doesn’t turn into musical chairs with ice packs. The team isn’t worried about Kniss, but you never want to lose the combination of size and straight-line energy he brings. When he’s out of the lineup, you can feel it.
Player No. 2: Sammy Blais – Undisclosed (left game early)
Bryce had a night you wouldn’t wish on anyone. He took a heavy blow and went to the bench, when suddenly he vomited blood and rushed into the tunnel. At that point, you’re like, “Okay, that’s it, he’s going to be out for a while.” As mentioned, he was only in the starting lineup because the Knicks couldn’t play. That’s been the Maple Leafs’ luck lately – one guy goes down, the next guy comes up, and half an hour later he’s gone too.
But to Bryce’s credit: The guy bounced back faster than anyone expected. He told reporters on the ice Wednesday that the scan came back clean and he could continue playing. It looks much scarier than it is. He even broke a brief drought by providing an assist against his old club (Blues). Once the roster starts to get healthy, he could be back in the lineup up front. Currently sharing a third-line role with Jacob Quillan, he gets the job done and gives the team one less thing to worry about during the week.
No. 3: Auston Matthews – lower body (questionable for Thursday)
General manager (GM) Brad Trelive didn’t bother adding any sugar to help the medicine go down. Auston Matthews likely won’t play Thursday. Good news? The general manager and medical staff are optimistic he’s close to success. If all goes well, Saturday in Montreal seems like a realistic goal.
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It’s been a long week waiting for a player who can turn a game around effortlessly. His nine goals, five assists and on-ice production draw defenders to him; his gravity makes the rest of the lineup feel safer. The moment he was cleared, the Maple Leafs not only got back a scorer; They found the North Star for everything around them. Until then, it was as if the Maple Leafs were sailing without a rudder, hoping the rest of the crew could keep the boat upright.
Player 4: Nicholas Roy – upper body (missed several games)
Head coach Craig Berube does not expect Nicolas Roy to return for any games this week. “A few games” is the phrase, which could push his return to November 26th. The timing was tough as Roy started to find his rhythm, carving out a little corner of the lineup where he could go out and feel confident.
You can see Roy finally settling into his reads, timing and puck movement. This is the kind of situation every player wants to achieve in a new team. Now, he must put that momentum on hold and pick it up again upon his return. This must be frustrating for him and the Maple Leafs. The team is starting to see what he can add.
No. 5: Chris Tanev – Upper Body (at least one week)
Missing Chris Tanev is like missing the guy who silently keeps the entire blue line from shaking. He’s back to light work, but is still a long way from full action. Treliving said they “will know more within the week,” meaning a return could come as early as early next week.
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With Brandon Carlo out, the steadying influence Tanev was able to bring to the game — his positioning, his composure under pressure, his ability to make other defenders confident — will be really missed. The Maple Leafs will feel his absence every time the puck goes toward their goaltender.
Player Six: Anthony Stolarz – Lower Body (Still Unavailable)
Stolarz remains sidelined and there is no clear timetable yet. The goaltender hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season; last season, he had the best save percentage in the NHL and was a real stabilizing force. Part of that was due to his pairing with Joseph Wall. As the team’s last line of defense, this pairing is a comfort blanket that can keep the team confident throughout the season.
If they can’t regroup and find their rhythm again, the Maple Leafs will face an even tougher ride. Without a duo like this, making the playoffs is next to impossible. Good news? Wall has played well in his first two games since returning, which takes a huge burden off everyone’s shoulders. Still, the team can only hope that Stolarz and Wall can continue their work, as they’re the kind of net-playing duo that can lead a season.
No. 7 Player: Brandon Carlo – Undisclosed (out)
Carlo is the type of defenseman who quietly makes life easier for everyone else on the ice. He had a great synergy with Morgan Rielly last season, and together they shut down some of the worst forwards in the league. He’s not flashy and doesn’t score highlight-reel goals, but he’s the kind of reliable, home-based defensive player who can keep his team in the game.
The Maple Leafs will need this kind of consistent play if they want to make a deep run in the regular season. Now, with Carlo unavailable and Tanev on the shelf, the right side of the blue line is thinner than a shiny rental stick. Until he returns, the team will have to rely on others to fill the void, which won’t be easy.
Can the Maple Leafs continue to survive?
The honest answer is that the team can survive these injuries for a while, but they need to continue the team effort they showed on Tuesday night. There’s no way you’re losing your No. 1 center, two of your top four defensemen, a key depth forward, your first-tier goaltender and a couple of bottom-six regulars. Most teams would crumble under the weight.
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But the Maple Leafs didn’t look like a team to take on the Blues. They look like a group that understands their shortcomings, their situation, and the exigencies of the moment. Wall was solid, the depth pieces contributed, John Tavares fought like a man with something to prove, and Nylander stole the headlines with a spectacular touch.
If they can hold out until Matthews and Kniss return, and Tanev doesn’t fall too far behind, they may be able to get through this rough patch without letting their season slip. At least now, they’ve proven they can weather the storm.
