The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a potential blue-line crisis, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson exited Wednesday night’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings with a lower-body injury, and now there’s concern that Brandon Carlo may also be dealing with something after tweaking himself during the same game. While the team hasn’t issued an official update yet - players had Thursday off and head coach Craig Berube is expected to speak Friday morning - the early signs aren’t encouraging.
Carlo did speak to the media postgame and didn’t show any visible signs of discomfort, but according to reports, there’s internal concern about his status. If Carlo ends up missing time, it would be a significant blow to a Leafs defense corps that’s already dangerously thin.
Chris Tanev, another key piece on the back end, hasn’t played since December 28 as he continues to weigh whether to undergo groin surgery - a decision that could end his season if he opts for the procedure. That leaves the Leafs staring at the very real possibility of being without three of their most experienced defensemen at a critical juncture in the season.
And make no mistake, all three - Ekman-Larsson, Carlo, and Tanev - are vital to Toronto’s playoff push. With 32 games left, the Leafs are sitting just outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Before Thursday’s NHL slate, Toronto was ninth in the conference with 57 points, trailing the Boston Bruins by one and the Buffalo Sabres by two for the final wild-card spots. It’s a logjam, and every point matters.
Ekman-Larsson, in particular, has been a rock. At 34, he’s logged heavy minutes and brought a steadying presence to the Leafs' blue line.
He’s one of just two Toronto players - captain John Tavares being the other - to suit up in all 50 games this season. Not only has he been durable, but he’s also been productive, leading all Leafs defensemen with 31 points, two more than Morgan Rielly.
That kind of consistency isn’t easy to replace.
His strong play even earned him a spot on Sweden’s Olympic roster for next month’s Winter Games in Italy - though depending on the severity of this injury, that opportunity could now be in jeopardy.
Carlo, meanwhile, had only recently returned to the lineup after missing nearly two months due to an ankle infection that required surgery. Since coming back on January 6, he’d looked solid in nine games, adding a physical edge and defensive reliability that the Leafs have sorely needed.
If both he and Ekman-Larsson are sidelined, Toronto’s defensive depth will be tested like never before this season. And with Tanev still in limbo, the Leafs could be forced to lean heavily on younger, less experienced players - or perhaps look outside the organization for reinforcements.
All of this comes as the Vegas Golden Knights arrive in town for their lone regular-season visit to Scotiabank Arena on Friday night - and yes, that means Mitch Marner’s return. Whether fans choose to boo or cheer the former Leaf, the real storyline might be what’s happening on the Leafs’ blue line.
Toronto’s playoff hopes are still very much alive, but they’re going to need some good news - and soon - on the injury front. Otherwise, the path to the postseason could get a whole lot steeper.