The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have avoided another potential blow to their blue line, but injury uncertainty remains.

Jake McCabe is expected to play Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Craig Berube told reporters on Monday.

McCabe exited Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens late in the second period after a shot rode up his stick and hit him in the face. The Leafs defenceman was seen favouring his jaw after the play.

Meanwhile, forwards Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy are close to returning after they all participated in practice on Monday, but their status will be determined closer to Wednesday, Berube said.

Matthews has been sidelined since Nov. 11 after suffering a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins. The 28-year-old Matthews

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