Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl will miss the team’s next game after he took a puck to the face during the team’s 5-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
“He’s doing well, he’s just uncomfortable today,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said of Holl. “He will not travel with us and won’t play tomorrow but we’re not expecting him to miss any time beyond that.”
Holl was cut up in the third period after he found himself on the receiving end of a Nils Hoglander dump-in attempt. The initial update on Holl after the game was that he was fine and chatting up with his teammates.
Holl has two goals and 17 assists in 19 games this season. Timothy Liljegren occupied Holl’s spot on the second pair defence at practice on Sunday.
Toronto goaltender Jack Campbell took part in practice for a few minutes before he leaving the ice. It was part of the plan for the goaltender who improved to 15-2-1 last night.
Campbell will get the nod in goal against the Canadiens on Monday.
Frederik Andersen occupied Campbell’s reps at practice. Out since Mar. 19 with a knee injury, it’s looking more like the goaltender is set to return soon.
“I think the plan at this point is he is not going to travel with us but he will have another practice on Wednesday,” Keefe said of Andersen. “I think as they’re building up his workload they’re going to try to set a plan from there.”
With the Leafs being stretched under the salary cap, the most likely set up for Andersen may be a conditioning stint with the Marlies. Provided the goaltender agrees, he can spend up to six games and three games with the club. That could give the Leafs the time to evaluate his game and, more importantly, build up the time needed before they can add the goaltender to the active roster.
The Leafs only have approximately $1.85 million in salary cap space according to Puckpedia.com. The Leafs would need to clear approximately $3.15 in space before activating Andersen’s $5 million to the active roster. Or wait until the playoffs where the salary cap is no longer a factor.
