Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Provides Update on Jake McCabe Following Injury Scare
Craig Berube provided an injury update on Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe after taking a shot to the neck in Saturday's win over Tampa Bay.
Near the end of the second period of last night's win over the Lightning, Jake McCabe was engaged in a net-front battle as a point shot from Nick Perbix sailed towards him. Unfortunately, McCabe lost his footing at the worst time and the shot caught him in the side of the neck.
Play was halted immediately as McCabe took a moment to collect himself on the ice and was tended to by the Leafs' training staff.
McCabe left the game for the remainder of the second period and did not return for the third.
Following the game, head coach Craig Berube was asked about his status and provided some good news on the injury front for once, noting that McCabe shouldn't miss any games and keeping him out was more precautionary than anything.
In the midst of getting Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies back for Saturday's game and losing Bobby McMann to a lower-body injury on Wednesday, the Leafs finally caught a break with some good news on McCabe.
The 31-year-old signed a five-year extension with the Leafs at the end of October.
Since being acquired by the Leafs ahead of the 2023 deadline, McCabe has been a steady defensive presence on the blueline and has played some of the best hockey of his career since coming to Toronto.
As the Leafs are still without Max Domi, David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Max Pacioretty and Ryan Reaves, along with McMann up front, the blueline has surprisingly been able to avoid any severe injury so far.
McCabe is expected to be back in the lineup on Monday when the Leafs face off against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks.
