2023-05-06 21:50:00
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Zach Aston-Reese could return to action Sunday night in Game 3 of the series against the Florida Panthers.
Aston-Reese, who was just 6:21 on the ice in the first game, was dropped in the second. Sam Lafferty had replaced him in training.
Note that forward Wayne Simmonds wore a jersey in morning practice, suggesting he won’t be playing Sunday’s game.
Absentees at the Panthers
For the Panthers, forward Sam Bennett and defenders Aaron Ekblad and Josh Mahura were all absent from morning practice on Saturday.
However, according to journalist Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Nowthe three players should be able to play Game 3 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ryan Lomberg is still sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Jared McCann on track
The Kraken’s leading scorer in the regular season, Jared McCann was back in training with Seattle.
However, it would be surprising to see him in uniform on Sunday at the Climate Pledge Arena, during Game 3 of the series tied 1-1 with the Dallas Stars.
McCann hasn’t played since Game 4 of the first round against Colorado, following a hit for which Cale Makar received a one-game suspension.
The nature of the injury has not been disclosed. He walks in the “protocol of (his) injury”, was limited to saying the head coach of the Kraken, Dave Hakstol.
McCann skated a few times during the recent trip to Texas.
On Saturday, he wore a non-contact red jersey for a practice with the team.
“Healing is taking its course,” Hakstol said. It’s a very good step he has just taken, but his return to the game has to wait a while. ยป
McCann set a career-high 40 goals this season, also adding 30 assists. He added an assist against the Avalanche before being injured.
Called in reinforcement from Coachella Valley (LAH), Tye Kartye provided two goals in five matches, playing alongside Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers.
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