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The Toronto Maple Leafs good fortune in avoiding key injuries appeared to run out in the first period of their 4-3 victory over Buffalo on Tuesday, as defenseman Morgan Rielly appeared to be seriously injured after being checked by Sabres forward William Carrier.
On Wednesday, Rielly appeared relieved and in good spirits at the Leafs practice facility in Etobicoke after finding out that his lower body injury will keep him out of Thursday night’s match against the New York Rangers, but that his status is considered day-to-day.
“Whenever you go down awkwardly, and you don’t really know what happened, you get a bit concerned.” Rielly said. “The doctors took good care of it and I think we have a pretty good idea of what’s going on (with the injury), but right now it’s day-to-day, so that’s good news.”
Defensemen Jake Gardiner and Matt Hunwick (the two remaining left-handed shooters) shouldered a greater portion of the ice time (both exceeding over 25 minutes in Rielly’s absence) and will see an increased role on Thursday.
With Martin Marincin still not ready to play after over a month on injured reserve, the Leafs will turn to Frank Corrado to fill Rielly’s spot.
“We expect (Corrado) to play well (and) be ready to go, it’s a good opportunity for Frankie.” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said on Wednesday. “I think he went down (to the AHL on a conditioning stint) and tried to work real hard and be a real good pro, which is real important when you are a veteran guy and you go down and play with those kids.”
Gardiner was moved up to the top pairing with rookie Nikita Zaitsev at practice, the bottom pairing of Hunwick and Roman Polak remained together and Corrado skated on the right side with right-handed Connor Carrick shifting to left defense.
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The injury news was not as positive for Marlies winger Kasperi Kapanen, who suffered a left leg injury after being clipped by Syracuse defenseman Jake Dotchin on Friday.
TSN’s
Kristen Shilton reported that the 20-year-old winger was spotted at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke wearing a boot and on crutches.
Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated on the weekend that Kapanen’s injury is long-term, which undoubtedly will keep him from participating in the AHL All-Star game in Syracuse later this month.
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