The Toronto Maple Leafs are down a defenceman after Jake Gardiner suffered a lower-body injury while blocking a shot in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
Leafs PR on Twitter: “#Leafs Jake Gardiner will not be returning due to lower body injury. #TMLtalk”
Gardiner played for just 2:55 before leaving the game. The Leafs also lost forward Daniel Winnik, who was stretchered off early in the first period after colliding awkwardly with Avalanche defenceman
The 24-year-old Gardiner has one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.