Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe Injured Vs. Blue Jackets
The Toronto Maple Leafs are holding their breath, as defenceman Jake McCabe left Tuesday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after taking a high-stick under the visor.
Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson wasn't paying enough attention to his stick after dumping the puck in the Maple Leafs end, and cut McCabe wide open on the play. The incident occurred late in the first period, the Blue Jackets were assessed a four-minute double minor, but the Maple Leafs couldn't capitalize.
Jake McCabe is not on the Leafs bench to begin the second period after exiting the game following this scary stick to the face #leafs https://t.co/HqSBw0oMJ5
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) October 21, 2026
The Maple Leafs are already without Chris Tanev, so losing McCabe would be a massive blow to their blueline. It was an interesting scene when McCabe didn't return after the intermission, as at that point, you knew things were pretty serious, considering McCabe's toughness, and willingness to play through pain.
Through his first 10 games, the veteran defenceman has yet to record a point, while playing a shut-down role in just over 20 minutes of ice-time per game. He earns $4.1 million AAV against the cap and is in the second season of a five-year deal.
Jim Hiller says Jake McCabe held out as a precaution after getting high sticked around eye: "I bumped into him, seems to be doing OK" Marshall Rifai: "Looks like it wasn't as bad as we originally thought, you know, that was scary for a second" @TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 21, 2026
The Leafs hit the ice on Thursday, when they'll host the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. We'll have to wait and see if McCabe's been stitched up by then, and comfortable playing with a full cage on.