In the midst of a three-game losing streak and lack of scoring, bad luck has taken reliable John Tavares out of the Maple Leafs lineup.
Tavares, who hurt his leg in an awkward spill at practice on Wednesday, was placed on injured reserve Thursday morning ahead of a game against the New Jersey Devils, the return of fired coach Sheldon Keefe.
The club recalled centre Fraser Minten from the AHL Marlies.
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Tavares had 42 points in 44 games and had just reached the 20-goal mark for the 15th time in his NHL career.
Minten had four points in 11 games this season with the Leafs along with 10 in 16 starts for the Marlies.
General manager Brad Treliving told the media earlier this week that Minten being sent down was partly to do with being unfamiliar with the grind of the NHL schedule as a young player.
The Leafs are playing almost every second day much of this month. They have scored just four goals the past three games.
Tavares was hurt in the corner during a power-play drill. Defenceman Chris 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. He was limping as he walked to the dressing room and appeared to be favouring his right leg.
“Still being evaluated,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said after Wednesday’s practice. “Hopefully, he’s OK.”
No further details have been given about the injury, but Tavares will now miss at least Thursday’s game.
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