Jake McCabe back in Maple Leafs lineup for clash with Anaheim Ducks
Article content
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube’s top defence pair is back together.
After missing the past five games with a head injury, defenceman Jake McCabe will be in the Toronto lineup when the club plays host to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Jake McCabe back in Maple Leafs lineup for clash with Anaheim Ducks Back to video
McCabe was alongside his regular partner, Chris Tanev, at the Leafs full morning skate.
The Leafs on Thursday afternoon officially activated McCabe off injured reserve.
They did lose another defenceman as Dakota Mermis was claimed off waivers by the Utah Hockey Club. Mermis had recovered from a broken jaw, but didn’t play in game for the Leafs after they signed him during the off-season.
Forward Alex Nylander cleared waivers and was sent to the Toronto Marlies.
McCabe has not played since Nov. 30, when he took a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Nick Perbix off the head.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“I’ve been feeling a lot better now than I was last week,” McCabe said Thursday morning. “Didn’t quite feel right, didn’t quite feel comfortable putting myself in the situation to play. The medical staff takes great care of us. Got the go-ahead now, so ready to get back at it.”
It’s a reunion of what has become an effective shutdown pair for the Leafs and one of the better partnerships in the National Hockey League.
In just over 220 minutes of ice time together at even-strength, Tanev and McCabe have been on the ice for just four goals against.
“A guy told me earlier my career that he’s doing a good job if his partner is having a good game,” McCabe said. “That’s a good way to look at it as a defenceman. If your partner is having a good game, that means you’re doing a good job. We both feel that way.
“Our job is to keep the puck out of the net and get the puck to our forwards and get transitioning and spend as little time in our D zone as possible. He does a great job of positioning. He’s the most willing player in the league to eat shots from everywhere. We talk well. When you’re good with the puck, you have to defend less. That’s how I look at it.”
Said Berube: “They think alike and they’re on the same page, they’re similar players in how they play the game. That’s a big part of it. He’s a big part of our team back there with him and Tanny, shut-down pair, penalty killing, physical play. It will be great to have him back.”
No surprise, either, that Berube is sticking with Anthony Stolarz in net, given the way the goalie played in New Jersey in the Leafs’ 2-1 overtime win against the Devils on Tuesday. Without the performance of Stolarz, who made 37 saves, the Leafs likely would have lost handily.
That the Leafs play a back-to-back set this weekend — visiting Detroit on Saturday before playing host to Buffalo on Sunday — also played into Berube’s decision to depart from the goaltending rotation with Joseph Woll.
“Stoli had one hell of a game, we all know that,” Berube said. “So that was the call for tonight, to go back with him.”
Stolarz has not started consecutive games since he was in net for three in a row from Nov. 3-8.
With McCabe back, the Leafs assigned defenceman Marshall Rifai to the Marlies and recalled forward Nikita Grebenkin from their American Hockey League affiliate.
Based on line rushes at the full morning skate, Grebenkin and Nick Robertson will be scratched against the Ducks.
Philippe Myers played in McCabe’s lineup spot and is expected to be scratched as well. The other defence pairs at the skate were Morgan Rielly with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit with Conor Timmins.
Also taking part in the morning skate were forwards Bobby McMann (lower body) and David Kampf (lower body). McMann is “very close” to returning to the lineup, Berube said, and the team should have a clearer idea of his status following practice on Friday. Kampf’s return date is not yet known.
The Ducks, who lost 5-1 in Ottawa against the Senators on Wednesday night and are 2-5-2 in their past nine games, did not hold a morning skate or have media availability.
X: @koshtorontosun
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.