Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe, David Kampf out Saturday vs. Blue Jackets
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without two pieces of their lineup on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as head coach Craig Berube announced that defenseman Jake McCabe and center David Kampf will miss the game due to undisclosed injuries.
Craig Berube says David Kampf and Jake McCabe will not play tomorrow. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) April 4, 2025McCabe sustained his injury late in the Leafs’ 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday when he was hit into the boards, and did not play the final 1:10 of the game, something he would usually do in a close game as one of the Leafs’ top shutdown defensemen. He also missed practice, and Berube announced on Friday that he would not be in the lineup on Saturday, but is only considered day-to-day.
Based on the pairings run in practice, it appears that Oliver Ekman-Larsson will slot alongside Chris Tanev in McCabe’s spot in the top four. That pairing has outscored their competition 11-5 and has a 52.22% 5v5 expected goal share in 249:30 of ice time this season. Philipp Myers is expected to draw into the lineup as well.
McCabe has had one of his more productive seasons this year with the Leafs, with 2 goals and 21 assists for 23 points in 66 games. He’s also one of their best defensive defensemen, as his 2.47 expected goals against per 60 minutes is the third best among Leafs defensemen.
Kampf also sustained an injury during Wednesday’s win. The cause of his injury isn’t quite as clear, but he was confirmed to be missing the entirety of the third period by the team. Like McCabe, he missed practice as well, and is only considered to be day-to-day.
It appears that Nick Robertson will draw into the lineup on the fourth line with Pontus Holmburg and Steven Lorentz in place of Kampf, with Holmberg moving to Kampf’s spot at center. That trio has played scoreless hockey and has a 39.13% 5v5 expected goal share in 9:24 of ice time.
Kampf has taken another step back offensively amidst injuries and scratches, with 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 59 games. However he’s better known for his defensive play, as his 2.13 5v5 expected goals against per 60 ranks third among Leafs forwards..
The Leafs currently sit in first in the Atlantic Division with a 46-25-4 record. They’ll look to extend their three-game win streak and five-game point streak when they host the Blue Jackets on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST.