- John Tavares left Thursday’s loss after a collision with Josh Norris
- Jim Hiller had no update on the Leafs center after the game
- Read below for the video and a look at Toronto’s growing injury list
John Tavares left Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres after an awkward collision, and the Maple Leafs had no update on his status afterward.
The play happened 2:32 into the third period with Toronto leading 4-2. Tavares went down after tangling with Sabres forward Josh Norris and stayed on the ice for about 90 seconds. He then skated off with help from defenseman Jake McCabe and a trainer, according to the NHL.com recap.
Watch Tavares get helped off the ice:
Tavares did not return. Head coach Jim Hiller was asked about his condition after the game and had nothing to share.
The 36-year-old was playing a different spot than usual. Hiller moved him to left wing on a new second line with Nick Paul at center and Kirill Marchenko on the right side, and the group was working. Tavares had two assists before the injury, including the pass on Marchenko’s between-the-legs goal that made it 2-1 in the first period.
Check out that goal:
Marchenko finished with a hat trick in his 300th NHL game, but it wasn’t enough. Buffalo scored three times in the third period to tie it, and Owen Power won it 3:14 into overtime for a 5-4 Sabres win. Toronto’s loss to Buffalo also included the Gavin McKenna benching, which Hiller took the blame for.
The Leafs were already thin up front and on the back end. Max Domi and Dakota Joshua are out, and Chris Tanev is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Tavares has two goals and five assists in seven games this season. He played all 82 games last year and finished with 31 goals and 71 points, second on the team. Toronto hosts the Islanders on Saturday, so we should know soon whether he’s in the lineup.
