The Maple Leafs might have to find a way out of their losing streak without John Tavares.
Toronto’s second-line centre departed practice on Wednesday at the Ford Performance Centre after he got tangled up with defenceman Chris Tanev.
“Still being evaluated,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “Hopefully, he’s OK.”
Tavares was hurt in the corner during a power-play drill. Tanev’s left skate caught Tavares’ left skate, pulling the latter’s legs apart and causing him to fall awkwardly to the ice.
Tavares writhed in pain before slowly making his way off the ice under his own power.
The incident puts Tavares’ participation against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in doubt.
Going into the game against former coach Sheldon Keefe — who makes his first return to Scotiabank Arena after he was fired by Toronto last May — the Leafs have lost three consecutive games in regulation for the first time in 2024-25.
Any games without Tavares, it goes without saying, would hurt the Leafs. With 42 points in 44 games, the 34-year-old has made a consistent impact this season.
And we know that general manager Brad Treliving already has been targeting help at centre before the National Hockey League trade deadline on March 7. If Tavares is out for a while, Treliving’s search could be expedited.
“He has been a great player for us,” Berube said. “I think it started (with) the captaincy switch (in handing over the C to Auston Matthews) and how he handled that.
“He has done a lot of good things for us. He’s a great teammate, a great leader, and he has been a fabulous player for a long time.”
Tavares was between Max Pacioretty and William Nylander during line rushes at practice. If Tavares is out, Berube has a few options, including moving Max Domi or Pontus Holmberg into that spot. Perhaps Fraser Minten would be recalled from the Toronto Marlies.
On the blue line, meanwhile, Jake McCabe could return on Thursday after he missed the past four games with an upper-body injury. McCabe practised with Tanev, his regular partner, on Wednesday.
It was McCabe’s first full practice since he was hurt during a fight with Garnet Hathaway of the Philadelphia Flyers in a game on Jan. 5.
“Felt great to be back out there with the fellas,” McCabe said. “It’s coach’s decision (as to whether he plays on Thursday). I’m not going to make any lineup decisions for him.”
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