TORONTO — An injury bug as targeted and infectious as the one hitting the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defence will have one of two dramatic outcomes.
It will either dismantle their season or be pointed to, months from now, as the much-needed, much-unwanted adversity that galvanized the group and grew the organizational depth.
Yes, the Leafs blew another 2-0 lead and squandered a standings point against the high-event San Jose Sharks. But it’s the loss of another minute-munching defenceman that really stings.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson — who was logging nearly 21 minutes a night and, with 20 points already, was on pace for his most productive campaign in a decade — needed two teammates, Calle Järnkork and Morgan Rielly, to help him off the ice Thursday because he couldn’t put any weight on his left leg.
Ekman-Larsson’s leg buckled awkwardly when he collided with a tumbling Adam Gaudette along the end boards. He’ll need further evaluation on his “lower body” injury before a recovery timeline is known.
Suffice it to say, it was a disturbing scene — packed with concerning consequences.
“Yeah, he’s obviously played unbelievable this season. To see another one of our main D go down is obviously tough,” William Nylander said, following the 3-2 overtime loss.
“He’s a big part of our team, a big part of our back end, and a guy that brings a lot of experience to our group,” Auston Matthews said. “So, I definitely hope for the best.”
This Maple Leafs season has revolved around hopes for speedy recoveries and hopes that the next D-man up can do the trick — and play the right side.
But how many more Troy Stechers can this team uncover?
If Ekman-Larsson misses time, that makes three of Toronto’s top five blueliners out of commission long-term.
Brandon Carlo, Berube confirmed post-game, underwent surgery on his undisclosed lower-body injury and won’t be available until early January, at the earliest. Carlo last played Nov. 13. Heck, he might miss two full months, after his setback and delayed surgery.
Chris Tanev (head/neck) has not played since Nov. 1 and is not cleared for contact. Berube expects a decision on him “in the next day or so,” following Wednesday’s doctor’s appointment.
And, oh, yeah, useful depth defenceman Dakota Mermis has also been sidelined a month with a knee injury.
Yeesh.
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A lefty playing his off-side, Ekman-Larsson had not only been a positive influence on Rielly during the Maple Leafs’ recent win streak, the Swede also had designs on repping his country at the Winter Games.
“Yeah, that’s one of the goals this year, too,” Ekman-Larsson said.
“It would be unbelievable to get a chance to play in the Olympics again. It was a long time ago, and it would be fun to be on that team. At the same time, you’re playing here, chipping in for your team here, it’s about a chance to be on that team. So, it’s like a win-win.
“I’m trying to just stay in a moment here and play good for the Leafs.”
Pitching in on special teams, protecting creases with a nasty edge, and tilting the ice to the tune of plus-7, Ekman-Larsson had perfect attendance this season.
Our take: He’s been the Leafs’ best and most consistent defenceman through 30 games.
“He’s been great. He’ll be missed. Hopefully it’s not too bad, but he’s played great hockey for us,” coach Craig Berube said.
“It’s tough, for sure, a critical position. We all know that. That’s the way it is, so we need another guy to step up and play.”
For now, that guy is Henry Thrun, a left shot who made a quiet, steady Leafs debut Thursday on the right side.
“He’s got great poise with the puck. He can play either side. He’s got good skill,” Matthews said. “He didn’t look out of place at all. I thought he made good plays, and he can move the puck back there.”
Added Nylander: “I thought Thrunder did a great job today. So, we got guys that want to step up and help the team.”
The irony of making his Leafs debut against the team that traded him away this summer was not lost on Thrun.
“That was obviously a unique thing. Just fired up. I want to compete against anyone, but especially against those guys,” said Thrun, who registered a couple shots and a plus rating in 16 minutes of work.
“Always fighting for a job.”
Unfortunately for Ekman-Larsson and the Maple Leafs, Thrun’s fight for work just got a little easier.
Fox’s Fast Five
• Let’s go easy on the “William Nylander demoted to third line” stuff, shall we?
Yes, Nylander entered this one on a season-worst four-game point drought and failed to register a shot Monday.
But he got placed with a centre and winger, Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, playing their best hockey of the season. And a top-nine juggle was necessary with Bobby McMann serving his one-game suspension.
Not only did Nylander splash the scoresheet with a pair of assists, but only Matthews logged more ice time among Leafs forwards. Nylander’s 21:57 marked a season high.
The Joshua–Roy–Nylander line generated 85.2 per cent expected goals and Toronto’s only actual one at even strength. That trio outshot the opposition 8-4.
• Quick question: Is Dennis Hildeby in contention for the Hart or just the Vezina?
We’re kidding, of course, but the third-string goaltender was stellar again. That behind-the-back glove save was something else. (“Just desperation,” he shrugged. “Worked out that time.”)
Joseph Woll (lower body) is still on track to be available Saturday, per Berube.
But we’d stick with the red-hot Hildeby and give Woll more time to rest an apparent soft-tissue injury.
• The Maple Leafs don’t hold leads like they used to.
“Third period, we didn’t come out and dictate how to play the game. Turn pucks over. Passive,” Berube said. “We didn’t finish them off.
“We have an opportunity to get the puck out a couple times. We don’t do it. It’s things like that that cost us.”
• Good news for Toronto’s power-play, which entered the game dead last and exited second last (14.5 per cent), thanks to a pretty Matthews one-timer from the flank.
Which is where the captain should be positioned.
Even after its first PPG of December, Toronto still rates 32nd (below L.A.) in power-play goal differential (plus-8).
“We were due for one. Felt like we hadn’t scored one in a long time,” Nylander said. “We should be able to score way more on the power-play, but it was a confidence builder.”
• When you switch sweaters six times, you enjoy your fair share of revenge games.
Any more emotional than the others for Ryan Reaves?
“My first game against Vegas, just because I still live there, and I thought I was gonna end my career there. I really wanted that one,” Reaves recalls.
The year was 2021-22, and Reaves’ old squad beat his new one twice.
But! Vegas missed the playoffs for the only time in franchise history, while Reaves and the Rangers racked up 110 points and reached the conference finals.
“We had a good year in New York that year,” he smiles. “That was good enough.”
