Devastating Setback for Maple Leafs Involving Star Defenseman Before the Playoffs

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are firmly set for another playoff run, they are going to be in for a tough road whoever they face, and they are going to need their best roster possible to take on the likes of Florida, Tampa, and potentially Winnipeg, Vegas or the like in the Finals.

But in order to get there, they need to get healthy, as one important player still sits on the sidelines dealing with an injury. Jake McCabe has missed the last few games after leaving against Florida earlier this week, and it's really bad timing especially since Toronto was starting to come together finally.

However, things aren't looking as positive that we had hoped for as it was revealed from David Alter of The Hockey News that McCabe was not seen skating, with no timeline yet as to when he'll be back.

It's a terrible bit of news for Toronto given that McCabe arguably is their top defenseman, although much argument can go to Chris Tanev as well; and for good reason.

The pairing of McCabe and Tanev have been incredible in their first season together and may have found some elite chemistry to keep Toronto's back end secure for the foreseeable future.

But without him, it feels like the team is sorely missing that piece of the puzzle; a puzzle that will only get harder come playoff time.

It's not the first time that McCabe has dealt with injuries and if there was any negative to point to during his season would be the missed games. He took a puck to the side of the head in November against Tampa Bay, then ended up hitting his head on the ice after fighting Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway.

While it's not the 15 games that Auston Matthews missed, losing eight games of your top defender is tough, and the timing before was bad, but now it's just miserable.

This season, McCabe has been a bit less of an offensive presence, but has 23 points in 66 games (2G, 21A) plus adding 135 hits, 118 blocks and a plus-23 rating in what could be considered a breakout season and becoming a more well-rounded player.

All we can hope for now is that McCabe can get healthy as quick as possible, and Toronto can use their remaining few games to show fans that they can succeed without him.

They might have to at the beginning of the playoffs if this news is any indication, and that can only make things even harder for a team already under immense pressure.