The Maple Leafs will be without rookie winger Mitch Marner — their leading scorer — for Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators and Sunday’s game in Carolina against the Hurricanes.
These will be the first games missed by Marner, 19, who emerged as a top-line right winger with 15 goals, 33 assists to lead not just the Maple Leafs, but also tied with Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine atop NHL rookie scoring.
Connor Brown will take Marner’s place with Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk on the top line. "He’s obviously a pretty important person on this team, and injuries happen throughout the year, and you have to play through it. If we’re missing him, other guys step up and we move on without him but we’re hoping for the best."
Marner appeared to hurt his shoulder area with an awkward fall Wednesday in Columbus. He won’t be able to test himself with a team skate until Monday — but only if the Leafs practice. That may be a day off. That puts Tuesday’s game against Winnipeg in jeopardy as well.
"Because he can’t go (Saturday) it means for sure he can’t go (Sunday)," said coach Mike Babcock, who insists injured players practice before they play. "We’ll deal with him next week."
The Leafs won’t be able to test Nikita Soshnikov, who has missed four games, will be inserted into the lineup.
"We need Soshnikov to come back and make sure he’s helping out," said Babcock.
Tonight’s expected lines
James van Riemsdyk-Tyler Bozak-Connor Brown
Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-William Nylander
Leo Komarov-Nazem Kadri-Josh Leivo
Matt Martin-Ben Smith-Nikita Soshnikov
Defence
Nikita Zaitsev-Morgan Rielly
Jake Gardiner-Connor Carrick
Matt Hunwick-Roman Polak
Starting goalie
Frederik Andersen
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