Maple Leafs Forward Unexpectedly Misses Practice Ahead of Game 2

When the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to call up Ryan Reaves ahead of their playoff run, there were a lot of questions about his fit with the team and if there was even a spot in the lineup for the veteran enforcer after some injury returns and the fact he won't offer much offense.

He's a great locker room presence and there is a big potential that if things get hairy in Game Two, then you bet your bottom dollar Reaves is going to be in.

That is, if he didn't miss practice Monday.

Reaves was absent along with Anthony Stolarz on Monday's brief skate, and while Stolarz is resting due to the intensity of Game One it does lead to questions as to where Reaves is.

He practiced previously, and there was no indication that the forward was dealing with an injury, however that's not out of the realm of possibility.

A more likely idea is that Max Pacioretty might be getting ready to get into game action and they are letting him get some extra reps instead.

Reaves was not expected to do too much offensively this postseason and there is a good chance he won't play whatsoever.

While that wouldn't be the worst thing for the team as a whole, it does make you question why he was brought up in the first place.

He's definitely an insurance policy, but a low-end one at that. So if one of Toronto's better players goes down (knock on wood), then him sliding into the lineup is going to be a detriment to the team regardless of what he does; he's not able to replace anyone in the current lineup to the level the team needs.

But it's still a mystery as to why Reaves was absent, and we might figure out more as the days go on.

Let's just hope that it's nothing serious, whatever is going on. Toronto can't afford any setbacks given that they have already just gotten healthy and ready to go, especially with how reckless and dangerous the Senators might be (i.e. vengeful).

For now though, Ryan Reaves is going to be missing practice, and potentially the whole series, but don't be surprised if you see #75 lacing up the skates one last time for Toronto this season, and maybe his career.