Toronto Maple Leafs' coach Craig Berube didn't know if defenseman Jake McCabe got injured while winning Wednesday night's game versus the Florida Panthers. Forward David Kampf and defenseman Jake McCabe will both sit Saturday when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets. David Kampf has been sitting out because of an injury to his upper body, but Jake McCabe's status is uncertain, adding to the concern as the season approaches its latter stages.
Jake McCabe and David Kampf injuries leave Toronto Maple Leafs with lineup shuffle
The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets short two regulars, as both Jake McCabe and David Kampf were not at team practice on Friday. David Kampf left early in the second period of the Florida Panthers game and did not reappear, and Jake McCabe departed in the final minutes after being hit into the boards by Florida's Carter Verhaeghe and then running into a linesman.
Even with the clear effect of McCabe's injury on the game, head coach Craig Berube confessed he wasn't sure exactly when the defenseman was hurt.
“I'm not sure when it happened, to be honest," Berube said. “I really don't know.”
Absence of Jake McCabe puts pressure on Leafs' blue line depth
Jake McCabe has gradually established himself as one of the biggest defensive stalwarts for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year. Routinely paired with Chris Tanev in the team's premier shutdown duo, McCabe is the team leader in average ice time (21:31), dominates on the penalty kill, and possesses a great physical presence in his game.
“I think he does a lot of things for us in terms of a shutdown defenseman with Tanev. Just his defensive play, his physical play, leadership. I mean, he brings a lot, penalty kill,” Berube added.
With McCabe out of the lineup, Oliver Ekman-Larsson will partner with Chris Tanev, and Philippe Myers will join Simon Benoit in the third pairing. Berube highlighted the simplicity in Myers' game as a physical defender who can extinguish plays and play on the penalty kill.
“I think (Myers) simple, plays aggressive, big, kills plays. He's physical back there, and and just, make the simple play with the puck and be good at your net front and penalty kill," Berube said.
David Kampf’s absence adds to Toronto Maple Leaf's concerns
David Kampf has contributed modestly on the score sheet this season with five goals and eight assists through 59 games. However, his value extends beyond offense, often playing in key defensive situations on the fourth line.
Looking ahead: Adjustments and opportunity for depth players
As the NHL playoffs draw near, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be counting on depth forwards to pick up the slack when Jake McCabe and David Kampf are out of commission. Saturday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets will be a good indication of how well those fill-ins — specifically Philippe Myers — can do the job.
Also read: John Tavares Reach 1,100 Points for Each Toronto Maple Leafs Win
While the injuries are cause for alarm, the scenario also provides an opportunity for lineup experimentation and minutes for players seeking to cement their place before the playoffs.
Jake McCabe and David Kampf injuries leave Toronto Maple Leafs with lineup shuffle
https://www.instagram.com/leafs_lounge/reel/DICMICMvjyf/ https://www.instagram.com/leafs_lounge/reel/DICMICMvjyf/
The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter Saturday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets short two regulars, as both Jake McCabe and David Kampf were not at team practice on Friday. David Kampf left early in the second period of the Florida Panthers game and did not reappear, and Jake McCabe departed in the final minutes after being hit into the boards by Florida's Carter Verhaeghe and then running into a linesman.
Even with the clear effect of McCabe's injury on the game, head coach Craig Berube confessed he wasn't sure exactly when the defenseman was hurt.
“I'm not sure when it happened, to be honest," Berube said. “I really don't know.”
Absence of Jake McCabe puts pressure on Leafs' blue line depth
Jake McCabe has gradually established himself as one of the biggest defensive stalwarts for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year. Routinely paired with Chris Tanev in the team's premier shutdown duo, McCabe is the team leader in average ice time (21:31), dominates on the penalty kill, and possesses a great physical presence in his game.
“I think he does a lot of things for us in terms of a shutdown defenseman with Tanev. Just his defensive play, his physical play, leadership. I mean, he brings a lot, penalty kill,” Berube added.
With McCabe out of the lineup, Oliver Ekman-Larsson will partner with Chris Tanev, and Philippe Myers will join Simon Benoit in the third pairing. Berube highlighted the simplicity in Myers' game as a physical defender who can extinguish plays and play on the penalty kill.
“I think (Myers) simple, plays aggressive, big, kills plays. He's physical back there, and and just, make the simple play with the puck and be good at your net front and penalty kill," Berube said.
David Kampf’s absence adds to Toronto Maple Leaf's concerns
David Kampf has contributed modestly on the score sheet this season with five goals and eight assists through 59 games. However, his value extends beyond offense, often playing in key defensive situations on the fourth line.
Looking ahead: Adjustments and opportunity for depth players
As the NHL playoffs draw near, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be counting on depth forwards to pick up the slack when Jake McCabe and David Kampf are out of commission. Saturday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets will be a good indication of how well those fill-ins — specifically Philippe Myers — can do the job.
Also read: John Tavares Reach 1,100 Points for Each Toronto Maple Leafs Win
While the injuries are cause for alarm, the scenario also provides an opportunity for lineup experimentation and minutes for players seeking to cement their place before the playoffs.
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