‘I didn’t like it’: Jake McCabe’s scare casts doubt on Maple Leafs’ winning streak

TORONTO – How quickly the mood modified.

There were blows. The bodies fell. The crowd roared.

They are the newly reformed, mutually supportive Leafs, and the locals love the organic fight.

But when McCabe slowly lay down on the ice – along with his helmet askew and his visor as foggy as a Jetta’s windshield in January – and tried to stand up, the defenseman stumbled like a downed boxer. Morgan Rielly quickly prevented his teammate’s head from falling.

Whether McCabe was dazed by a punch, a success on the ice, or Hathaway jammed an additional knee after that ordeal doesn’t matter as much as his future health.

Much like Toronto’s 3-2 extra time win over the passing Philadelphia Flyers, there is no greater concern than the provision of 1 half of the club’s season-ending top pair.

“I didn’t like it. I didn’t like what I saw,” coach Craig Berube said. “He stands up for his team and his teammate. We all really appreciate it. But I do not like that this is occurring.

“It’s certainly concerning.”

Although McCabe eventually rigorously skated off the ice under his own power, he didn’t return to the sport attributable to what the team calls an “upper body” injury.

When McCabe took a puck to the top in December and was sidelined for 11 days, it was also an “upper body” injury.

He will undergo further tests on Monday, however the considered suffering two head injuries in 36 days is tough to swallow for a very important player and a very important season.

“Yes, it’s difficult. I mean, we all know what type of person and player he is. He stands up for his teammates and friends, so it’s hard to see him fall like that,” said Oliver Ekman-Larsson. “I hope he’s okay.”

If there’s any silver lining to this horrific sight, it’s that the Atlantic-leading Maple Leafs proceed to prove they will pile up Ws, no matter who hits IR.

Even though Toronto looked like a short-handed team by every measure and had a sluggish half of back-to-back games, Toronto stuck to a patient plan and had a game that Matthew Knies politely described as “uneventful.”

The Leafs blocked 17 shots, clogged the neutral zone like the bays in Ontario and waited for enough time for Auston Matthews to feed Rielly’s extra time winner.

“It feels good. I assumed we played well inside our structure,” Rielly said.

“Just attempt to stay focused. Of course he’s your teammate. You want one of the best for him. But I believe he would like our guys to remain focused and stay in the sport.

The Leafs’ knack for pushing through tight games and injury problems has been their calling card during a four-game winning streak and 54 points in the primary half of the season.

They may have to proceed to search out ways to win with their depth as they head into the mentors’ trip to Philadelphia and Carolina this week with concerns about McCabe’s health.

Knies is delighted with the presence of his guest, older brother Phillip, who played within the Slovak league within the 2022–2023 season. Matthews invited crowd pleaser Joe Thornton, who walked into his old SBA dressing room with a smile after his win.

“He’s quite close to a lot of the guys who play here and stuff like that. So it’s great to have him with us,” Berube smiled.

“It’s great for these (mentors) because they love it. They love attending meetings and listening to us talk and show videos. So it’s a unique journey.”

It shall be that far more special if the Maple Leafs hear excellent news about McCabe.

• Smart decision by the Leafs to change from the fairly rusty Matt Murray to Hildeby because the starter in these back-to-back matchups.

Hildeby admitted he had a “tough start”, allowing Tyson Foerster to beat his long-range blocker in 3:24. However, he settled down immediately, stopping 31 of 33 shots.

“A big part of the victory,” Berube said.

Meanwhile, on the farm, Murray made three of 23 shots within the loss to the Cleveland Monsters.

The only downside to Hildeby’s appointment? It was too late for him to ask anyone on a week-long trip.

“I am my own mentor,” he joked with a smile.

• Knies’ total goals…

• McCabe and one other Bash brother, Simon Benoit, made a bet on who would rating the ultimate goal this season. McCabe had an attractive Saturday within the win over Boston and celebrated like a richer man.

“I just lost 100 bucks yesterday,” Benoit revealed to reporters on Sunday morning. “When we can contribute offensively, it’s always nice.”

Don’t look now, but three Leafs defensemen scored on the weekend.

• I went to the rink excited to see Matvei Mikhkov in person for the primary time. I almost didn’t notice he was dressed, aside from a creative web pass that led nowhere. His stats: zero points, two shots, minus-1 in 14 minutes. Shrug.

Flyers prospect Calder immediately cooled down: one goal and a rating of 11 within the last 13 games.

• Brad Treliving would like to trade for a middle with a deadline.

With the Flyers open to selling, it’s price talking to defensive tackle Scott Laughton ($3 million cap hit in 2025-26). On Sunday, he scored the decisive goal and led all forwards with 4 shots.

The 30-year-old Oakville, Ont., resident hasn’t made the playoffs in five years. There is not any industrial protection.