Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe faces injury uncertainty after exiting vs Islanders

McCabe left the Leafs following an apparent injury during the third period of Saturday's game against the New York Islanders, leaving shortly following a goal from Matthew Schaefer.

It's unclear what caused the injury to McCabe, but he left to the Leafs locker room and did not return to the game as Toronto lost to the Islanders in overtime 4-3 after a second goal from Schaefer capped the win for New York.

McCabe, 32, has three goals and 16 points in 41 games this season for the Leafs while being one of the league's top defensive forwards, a leader in blocked shots.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube updated reporters following the game vs the Islanders on the health of Jake McCabe.

Berube didn't have any instant details on McCabe health or the reason for him leaving, but stated that McCabe's departure did not appear to be serious but won't be evaluated until tomorrow.

The Leafs have three days off until their next game Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, giving some rest for McCabe in what there is careful optimism for things being minor as to McCabe's status.

McCabe left a game back in November against the Montreal Canadiens after taking a puck to the face. Having not returned with a reported upper-body injury, McCabe did not miss any time.

No update is likely to come until after tomorrow once McCabe's status is more well known, but would be another major loss on the Leafs blueline, with Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, & Dakota Mermis all out of the lineup due to injury.