Photo credit: David Alter – X
There was some good news coming out of Toronto’s practice on Saturday as the team saw both Jake McCabe and Anthony Stolarz on the ice as they work towards a return.
It’s going to be a test for the Maple Leafs to see if they can continue their momentum as they take on the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
While it may seem like easy pickings, Toronto can’t take any games for granted and can’t coast by hoping for a decisive win.
The team is going to get William Nylander back which could be a huge boost to the offense though with how good the team has been defensively; it remains to be seen how he affects the game as a whole but his return is nonetheless a net benefit.
Stolarz progressing well, McCabe nearing return
However he wasn’t the only injured Maple Leaf to appear at practice and fans got some news regarding two of the team’s key contributors: Anthony Stolarz and Jake McCabe.
It was noted that both men are progressing well, with McCabe working on the ice and actually taking part in drills meanwhile Stolarz is progressing really well and Craig Berube anticipates he can join the team for their road-trip:
This is a huge step forward for Stolarz given that we don’t necessarily have a real timeline for his return but things have been so far, so good.
Things are finally turning around for Toronto on and off the ice
McCabe’s return is a bit more crucial now given the news Chris Tanev could be out for the year. Stolarz has the luxury of knowing Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby can handle things in the crease, but Toronto really lacks that shutdown defender without McCabe and Tanev.
Stolarz was injured on Nov. 11 when he pulled himself after tweaking something and only started taking the ice at the beginning of January. He has a 6-5-1 record with a 3.51 GAA and .884 SV%.
McCabe’s injury happened last Saturday against the Islanders and has been out ever since. He has 16 points in 41 games (3 goals, 13 assists) while adding a plus-26, 104 blocks and 58 hits in 22:01 TOI.
While this doesn’t give us a defined date as to when both players will come back, at least there’s some positive vibes floating around the locker room, something unheard of a month ago for the Maple Leafs.
Previously on Hockey Patrol