William Nylander shares information about Leafs teammate Oliver Ekman-Larsson following injury

It was a pleasant surprise when Oliver Ekman-Larsson opened the scoring in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, extending his point-streak to nine games.

OEL has been playing his best hockey in a Leafs uniform of late, with his opening marker on Saturday officially tying his total goal output from last season.

Unfortunately, with less than half the third period to play, Sportsnet's play-by-play commentators Craig Simpson and Chris Cuthbert noted that Ekman-Larsson had not had a shift in five minutes and had left the Leafs' bench.

His absence, along with a scrum at the side of Dennis Hildeby's crease, led to the Leafs playing two of the final ten minutes with four defensemen as Jake McCabe was sent off for roughing.

Following the game, Craig Berube was asked about the injury to the Stanley Cup Champion, offering a somewhat cryptic response.

Thankfully, leading scorer William Nylander had a more positive update on his fellow Swede after the game.

In Florida to take on his former team on Monday, OEL will be re-evaluated on Sunday in hopes that he will be able to take part in Monday's game.

Already without Chris Tanev, who is recovering from a concussion, as well as Brandon Carlo, and Simon Benoit, not having OEL in the lineup on Monday could result in the Leafs missing more than half of their top-six defensemen.

While Berube was hopeful they would have Carlo back on Monday, his status will be determined following Monday's morning skate -- meaning we could see the Leafs use an emergency recall and bring up a Marlies defenseman, perhaps someone like William Villeneuve, to take on the defending Stanley Cup Champions.