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The Toronto Maple Leafs finish off the pre-All-Star portion of their schedule on Saturday with a rematch against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre. The Leafs are coming off a 1-0 overtime victory on Wednesday where Auston Matthews scored the game-winner with 46 seconds left in the extra frame and Ilya Samsonov stopped 32 shots for his second shutout of the season.
The Leafs practiced at the Ford Performance Centre on Friday before departing for Manitoba, but the workout was not uneventful, as forward Calle Jarnkrok left the ice with an apparent hand injury after blocking a shot.
Calle Jarnkrok slams his glove in frustration after he leaves practice early after blocking a point shot in a practice drill. pic.twitter.com/777kbGkyMc
— David Alter (@dalter) January 26, 2024
The versatile 32-year-old winger has 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 46 games, playing mostly on the third line and both special team units. Head coach Sheldon Keefe could not provide an update on the extent or severity of the injury or whether Jarnkrok would travel with the club to Winnipeg.
Keefe also indicated that winger Bobby McMann would be placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
"Over the last few weeks, McMann has been dealing with something that has been lingering for a few weeks that we hoped was going to improve over time," Keefe said. "It’s lingered enough that it’s been determined that extending his break. He’ll be going on the IR and won’t be available for us tomorrow."
Tyler Bertuzzi returned for practice and skated alongside John Tavares and William Nylander after missing Wednesday’s game due to the birth of his child, but with the possible injury to Jarnkrok, the Leafs may need to call someone up from the AHL Toronto Marlies for Saturday’s rematch with the Jets.
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