Maple Leafs fans may be holding their breath today.
Toronto Maple Leafs veteran John Tavares left practice early on Wednesday, appearing to favour his right leg after being hurt during a power-play drill.
The injury seemed to occur when Tavares' and defenceman Chris Tanev's skates got tangled in the corner, leading the forward's legs to stretch apart awkwardly.
Tavares stayed down on the ice for a few moments before getting up, skating off the ice and heading to the dressing room under his own power.
Head coach Craig Berube told reports after practice that Tavares is still being evaluated.
"I didn’t even see it. … Hopefully, he is OK,” Berube said.
Meanwhile, defenceman Jake McCabe, who has been out since Jan. 5 with an upper-body injury after hitting his head on the ice following a fight, will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils, Berube said.
The contest will mark former Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe's first return to Scotiabank Arena after he was fired at the conclusion of last season.
Losing Tavares for any period of time would be a blow to the Maple Leafs, as the former captain has been lighting it up this season with 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points in 44 games.
Tavares, 34, finished last season with 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points in 80 games. The Mississauga, Ont., native relinquished the captaincy to Auston Matthews before this season.
McCabe, 31, has one goal and 10 assists in 31 games this season, often pairing with Tanev to form the Leafs' top defensive duo.
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