NASHVILLE — The Maple Leafs will be without the services of Jake McCabe when they visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. But it doesn't sound like the defenseman will be out of action for any extended amount of time.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said MRI results on a groin injury the 30-year-old sustained on Thursday came back with positive results.
"Probably the best-case scenario for us," Keefe said. "We're not expecting him to miss any sort of significant time."
McCabe injured his groin in the opening shift of his team's 4-1 victory against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. The club William Lagesson from the Toronto Marlies to make his Leafs debut in McCabe's absence.
Mark Giordano will be elevated into the second-pair role that was occupied by McCabe.
It's not clear how long McCabe will out of the lineup outside of the game on Saturday.
"We'll see him back before too long," Keefe added.
The Leafs end a five-game road trip against the Predators before hosting the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 31.
McCabe has played in seven games and is a minus-four.
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