The Toronto Maple Leafs have called up defenceman Jesse Blacker from the AHL Marlies in advance of Game 5 of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
Blacker is expected to take part in Thursday’s practice.
With defenceman Mark Fraser taking a Milan Lucic slapshot to the forehead in Game 4’s loss Wednesday night, the Leafs needed to fill a roster spot.
The injured Fraser, who does not wear a visor, left Air Canada Centre before the conclusion of Game 4 and headed to the hospital. After the game, Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle said Fraser underwent a CT scan to ensure he didn’t suffer any facial fractures.
On Thursday Carlyle said Fraser had indeed suffered a fracture in the bone between his eyes and underwent surgery. Fraser will not make the trip to Boston for Game 5, and there is no timetable for his return.
Fraser was resting at home and spent time talking and texting his teammates.
Blacker is unlikely to play in Game 5, as Fraser’s absence should open up a spot for veteran John-Michael Liles.
“We have a decision to make, but I would bet on seeing Liles,” Carlyle said Thursday.
Liles played in Game 1 of the series, a 4-1 Boston victory. He was a minus-1 with one shot on goal. He has since been a healthy scratch.
The 22-year-old Blacker scored 11 points in 61 games this season for the Marlies, who are set to begin their second-round playoff series against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, the same night the Leafs play Game 5 of their series in Boston.
A second-round draft pick of the Leafs in 2009, Blacker has been called up to the big club before but has yet to play his first NHL game.
