A high stick and a black eye to match won’t keep Jake McCabe out of the lineup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman was at morning skate as a full participant on Thursday and expected to play against the New York Rangers.
McCabe exited Tuesday after taking a stick to the face from Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson just over 13 minutes into the first period. The Leafs officially ruled him out during the second intermission.
Johnson received a double-minor for high-sticking after making contact with McCabe just inside the Leafs’ blue line following a dump-in.
McCabe had five goals and 20 assists in 80 games for Toronto last season. He doesn’t have a point this season.