The Maple Leafs got a much-needed break on the Morgan Rielly front, even if the timing still leaves them in a rough spot.
Rielly left Saturday’s game against Montreal after playing under six minutes and did not return, but the early fear of a longer absence appears to be easing. Darren Dreger said on TSN’s First Up that the injury is being treated as day-to-day and that Rielly should be out no longer than a week.
“Don't expect things to drag out too long. He's in a category of day-to-day, so he should be back shortly...about a week”
That’s a relief for a Toronto team that badly needs bodies back on the blue line. The Leafs have already been dealing with a messy injury picture, and the defense has taken the brunt of it. The team has also dropped three straight at home and was just shut out by the New Jersey Devils, a stretch that has made things look uncomfortably familiar to the group that finished last in the Atlantic last season.
Rielly’s absence matters because he has been one of Toronto’s steadier pieces this year. He hasn’t been perfect, but he has looked better defensively than he did last season. Compared with the last two years, he’s been more aware, more active, and more aggressive.
The numbers back up the rebound. Through 18 games, Rielly has 12 assists, 23 blocks, and eight hits, with an even plus/minus of zero. He’s also averaging 19:46 of ice time, his lowest mark since his rookie season.
Even with the positive update, Toronto’s schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room. The Leafs are staring at Minnesota, Colorado, and Edmonton in their next three games, with little rest in between. If Rielly does miss about a week, that would keep him out until at least Saturday and put his return in line for Tuesday against Chicago.
That would be the easier landing spot, but it could still arrive too late for a team that needs help right now. Rielly’s season has been a strong turnaround, and Toronto will hope there’s still enough time for it to matter.
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