Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Monday saw the Leafs take an unconventional route at practice. Usually, after a team is dominated by a division rival, the next practice is very intense. Instead, the Leafs opted to give a number of players another day off the ice, turning the on-ice session into more of a skills practice.
Roy, Matthews, Knies take part in optional practice
Decimated by injuries in November, the Leafs had Nicolas Roy make his return to the ice today for the first time since November 15th. He joined Matthews and Knies, who have been skating daily in the hopes of returning to the lineup this week.
While the trio hit the ice, Jake McCabe, who took a puck to the face on Saturday, did not participate, raising questions about his availability.
Berube updates status of McCabe, Matthews, Knies for Wednesday
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Berube provided a long list of updates on his injured players in preparation for Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I’d say Matthews, Knies, Roy are close. I’ll probably know tomorrow if they’re available Wednesday,” revealed the Leafs’ bench boss.
The second-year head coach of the Leafs also confirmed that McCabe would be in the lineup, which is a sigh of relief for the Leafs as they are already without Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev.
Speaking of Carlo, the Leafs confirmed that the former Boston Bruins defenseman has yet to resume skating since sustaining a lower-body injury last week.
Mired in horrendous slump, adding the likes of Matthews, Knies and Roy to the lineup on Wednesday would be a huge boost of morale for the club as they continue their road trip.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily
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