The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without two key players for Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Defenseman Jake McCabe and forward David Kampf were both absent from Friday’s practice due to injuries, with head coach Craig Berube confirming they have been ruled out for the upcoming matchup.
“Right now I’d say day-to-day,” Berube said, noting that he couldn't provide a detailed timeline for their returns, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
McCabe’s injury occurred late in Wednesday’s game against the Florida Panthers, though the exact moment of the injury is unclear. He appeared to get tangled up with an official after Matthew Knies’ game-winning goal. Kampf, on the other hand, suffered an upper-body injury during the third period of the same game, visibly struggling during his final shift in the second period.
With both players sidelined, the Leafs have adjusted their lineup. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been paired with Chris Tanev, while Philippe Myers and Simon Benoit have been paired together. Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo remain the team’s likely top defensive pairing. Ekman-Larsson and Tanev have been the Leafs’ fifth-most used defensive duo this season, boasting a solid plus-five goal differential and a 52.8% expected goals share over 249:32 at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick.
McCabe, who has contributed two goals and 23 points in 66 games this season, has been a vital shutdown presence alongside Tanev. Kampf, who typically plays on the fourth line and contributes to the penalty kill, has recorded five goals and 13 points in 59 games.
With Kampf and McCabe out, Pontus Holmberg will take over at center on the fourth line, and Nick Robertson will rejoin the right wing. Robertson will also be part of the Leafs’ second power play unit alongside Rielly, Ekman-Larsson, Max Domi, and Bobby McMann.
