Leafs winger returns to practice after significant injury scare; who comes out of the lineup to make room?

Late in the first period of Friday's game against Carolina, Noel Acciari was attempting to complete a backcheck when Jesse Puljujarvi cut across the blueline and hit him in the chin with what appeared to be the knob of his stick and his fist. Acciari was very slow to get up and seemed to be dazed after taking the hit. He collected himself enough to skate off under his own power but did not return to the game.

The Leafs held Acciari out of the lineup Saturday against Ottawa for precautionary reasons as Sheldon Keefe said prior to the game that Acciari passed concussion protocol and did not have a concussion. After travel and an off-day yesterday, the Leafs returned to practice on Monday and so did Acciari. Acciari took part in the usual pre-practice skills session for the Leafs in a regular blue practice jersey and not a scratches grey or non-contact red which indicates that he should be in the lineup for tomorrow's game against the Islanders.

That's good news for the Leafs as he, David Kampf and Zach Aston-Reese have formed a solid fourth line for Keefe, which is something he and the Leafs have not had in years. Puljujarvi did not receive a penalty or any supplimentary discipline for the hit, even though it was a head-shot that looked pretty blatant. With Acciari's return to the lineup, either Bobby McMann or Wayne Simmonds will draw out of the lineup once again. If recent history tells us anything, it's likely that Simmonds will be headed back to the press box.