Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake Gardiner Injury Update

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Jake Gardiner left the game against Columbus Wednesday night with a muscle spasm in his leg.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman left the game during the first period after just playing 5:44 during six shifts. According to Mike Babcock, Gardiner suffered from the muscle spasms before the game but thought it could be controlled. After leaving the ice for the locker room the medical staff wouldn’t let him come back.

During the Toronto Maple Leafs morning skate, Jake Gardiner was absent on the ice as Connor Carrick was paired with Nikita Zaitsev. Jake Gardiner’s availability for the games this weekend remains unclear. Mike Babcock stated he’ll receive the news whether he can play this weekend tomorrow. If Jake Gardiner remains sidelined this weekend, it is likely Andreas Borgman will be called up from the Toronto Marlies.

Jake Gardiner

Jake Gardiner currently leads all Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman in points, tallying 4 goals and 31 assists for a combined 35 points. Before the game against Columbus, Gardiner also leads the team in average TOI. Making it evident how important Jake Gardiner is on the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line.

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Likely the muscle spasm is absolutely nothing significant for fans to worry about. Just a coincidence that could have happened to, literally, anyone. It could have been caused by the slightest issue, something the medical staff will look in to. But what if it’s a sign that Gardiner is run-down and needs some rest, is that something to be considered?

I don’t think that is likely, Gardiner has seen some more ice-time recently, but the difference isn’t huge. His average TOI this season, before the game against Columbus was 22:05. His highest average TOI of his career, but not close to the league leaders in average ice-time (26+). If the muscle spasms is a sign of an injury, he sustained in other fashion than simply being run-down.

Hoping For The Best

While there isn’t a sign that the Gardiner injury is serious, Mike Babcock should expect for the worst this weekend, not having Gardiner. During practice, Carrick was paired with Nikita Zaitsev. This could mean Babcock is really expecting Gardiner to play against Pittsburgh, simply putting his seventh man in the slot.

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It would be more likely that Travis Dermott moves up the pairings to fill Gardiner’s slot, putting Carrick with Polak on the third pairing. For now, let’s all hope Gardiner will be fit to play tomorrow and remains healthy.

stats from hockey-reference and NHL.