The injuries are piling up as 2025 comes to an end for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Defenceman Chris Tanev and forward Dakota Joshua have both been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed William Nylander also will not play Tuesday as he remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was not on the ice for the team’s gameday skate.
The team also announced before puck drop that forward Auston Matthews would not play in Tuesday’s game and that he is currently considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Matthews had an assist while finishing with 22:01 of ice time against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. He was injured while blocking a shot in the third period.
The 28-year-old team captain has 15 goals and 27 points in 33 games this season.
Matthews is four goals away from tying Mats Sundin’s franchise record of 420 goals.
Berube said he didn’t want to jump to conclusions as Tanev continues to be evaluated, while Joshua is dealing with a kidney injury after a hit in Sunday’s game. Joshua remains in Detroit due to the injury.
The Maple Leafs recalled forward Jacob Quillan and defenceman Matt Benning from the Toronto Marlies on Tuesday to help cover off the losses.
The 23 year-old Quillan leads the Marlies in scoring this season with five goals and 18 assists in 26 games.
“I’m a little more comfortable with the system and the guys,” Quillan said Tuesday, preparing for potentially his third game of the season. “I wanted to play well down there, build some confidence and bring it up here and show what I can do.”
“I love Quillan’s energy and speed,” Berube said. “I think he’s getting close to being an NHL player and a full-time one with his ability he has. It’s a good opportunity for him tonight.”
Injured defenceman Brandon Carlo was on the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate as he continues to work towards a return after being out since Nov. 13. He did not take line rushes Tuesday.
Joseph Woll is projected to start against the Devils.
Leafs’ projected lineup tonight minus Chris Tanev, Dakota Joshua and, potentially, Auston Matthews:
Knies — Tavares — Domi
Maccelli — Laughton — McMann
Robertson — Roy — Cowan
Lorentz — Quillan — Järnkrok
Rielly — Myers
McCabe — Ekman-Larsson
Benoit — Stecher
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) December 30, 2025
Nylander missed Sunday’s overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings with a lower-body injury.
He exited Saturday’s 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators with the injury after he got tangled up with Senators defenceman Artem Zub. The winger did not come out for the third period before he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. He played 8:25 and scored the game’s opening goal.
The 29-year-old leads the Maple Leafs in points with 41 in 33 games.
Tanev, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, has played in three games following a lengthy absence after being stretchered off the ice in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 1. He logged 20:10 of ice time in Sunday’s loss. In 11 games this season, the 36-year-old blueliner has two assists.
Joshua, 29, saw 12:23 of ice time against Detroit. He has six goals and 10 points in 36 games with the Maple Leafs this season after being acquired in an off-season trade from the Vancouver Canucks. He is sidelined by an upper-body injury.
The Maple Leafs enter Tuesday’s game against New Jersey last in the Atlantic Division at 17-15-6.
