Mitchell Marner, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, did not play in his first game of the season on Sunday when the team lost to the Detroit Red Wings 5-2.
Prior to the game, coach Sheldon Keefe stated, “Marner is not going to play today. He’s got some bumps and bruises he’s been going through as somebody who’s played as much as he has would.”
Marner, 25, had scored 28 goals in 75 games this season and led the team in assists (67) and points (95) as of Sunday.
“Mitch wants to play every game, but I think Mitch sees the big picture,” Keefe said. “As it’ll work out for him, he’ll get today off and get tomorrow off. He’ll come back in on Tuesday. That’s two days in a row [of rest] that he’ll be able to get. So anything that he might be nursing in terms of bumps and bruises or wear and tear, he has a chance to push through that. And I think that will be helpful.”
On Sunday, the Leafs added defenseman Conor Timmins to the lineup and rested defensemen Mark Giordano and Jake McCabe. Against the Red Wings, Timmins contributed an assist.
Additionally, in an emergency, the Maple Leafs recalled forward Nick Abruzzese from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. In the defeat on Sunday, he assisted.
