Troubling News Coming Out of Maple Leafs Practice Regarding Two Injured Players

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sitting pretty atop the Atlantic Division, owners of a 46-25-4 record, good for 96 points and a 3-point cushion over the 2nd place Tampa Bay Lightning.

Wednesday's victory over the Florida Panthers not only clinched a playoff spot for the Leafs, but has also given the team a high percentage chance of winning the Atlantic Division for the first time in franchise history, but if they hope to secure the division, they may have to do so without two key contributors.

During Wednesday's win over Florida, the Leafs lost both Jake McCabe and David Kampf to unspecified injuries, and on Friday, neither player was on the ice for practice.

Head coach Craig Berube had no immediate update following Wednesday's victory over the Panthers, but confirmed with the media following Friday's on-ice sessions that Kampf and McCabe will not play on Saturday.

McCabe, along with newcomer Chris Tanev, have formed one of the absolute best shutdown pairs in the NHL this season.

Meanwhile, Kampf is a key penalty killer for the Leafs, and one of very few natural centres on the roster. His will create an opportunity for newly-minted Leaf Scott Laughton to re-join the 3rd line and will shift Pontus Holmberg back to the middle of the ice.

Laughton was originally acquired at the trade deadline to play as the 3C in Toronto, but Craig Berube and the coaching staff have primarily used him on the wing to begin his tenure with the Leafs. He is another potential option for the Leafs at 4C until Kampf returns.