The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that defenceman Jake Muzzin is sidelined with a broken bone is his face. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe made the announcement on Monday to the media. Zach Hyman and Joe Thornton are also day-to-day with various ailments.
Sheldon Keefe on #Leafs lineup changes:
Hyman out (day-to-day), Jake Muzzin out (broken bone in his face, will miss time, needs full shield upon return), Joe Thornton out (day-to-day)
Barabanov, Lehtonen and Petan in
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 22, 2021
Jake Muzzin Out With Facial Injury
The defender was hurt late in Saturday’s win over the Montreal Canadiens after getting hit by Tyler Toffoli‘s stick. Muzzin was clipped on the follow-through from the shot.
Muzzin has a goal and 11 assist for 12 points in 19 games so far this season. The Woodstock, Ontario native also has 17 penalty minutes in the 2020-21 campaign. His possession numbers are 49.8 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 3.0.
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Muzzin has played for the Los Angeles Kings and the Maple Leafs in his 10 seasons in the league. He has 63 goals and 201 assists for 264 career points in 598 career games. The Pittsburgh Penguins took him in the fifth round, 141st overall of the 2007 NHL Draft.
The 31-year-old won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014 and was part of the 2016 World Cup squad for Team Canada. He also has an IIHF World Championship gold medal with his home country in 2015.
What This Means for the Future
Travis Dermott will now pair with Justin Holl as a defensive pairing for Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames. This news comes from Leafs reporter Kristen Shilton.
Muzzin will return to the lineup , but will have to wear a full face shield when he does according to Keefe. Nic Petan, Mikko Lehtonen and Alex Barabanov will also draw into the lineup as the Leafs look to continue their run on top of the North Division. Lehtonen will slide into Muzzin’s spot in the lineup while Dermott moves up a pairing.
Petan and Barabanov will replace Hyman and Thornton in the forward group. Keefe learned of Thornton’s status just minutes before today’s media session.
