More bad luck for the Leafs as Dakota Joshua and Brandon Carlo leave game with injury
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Dakota Joshua will not return for the Toronto Maple Leafs after an injury suffered Wednesday against the Washington Capitals.
Leafs forward Dakota Joshua left in the second period of Toronto's game Wednesday after a collision with Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
Sandin, a former Leaf, collided with Joshua along the boards. Joshua lingered slightly after the hit, later leaving the game and heading to the dressing room.
Joshua was ruled out prior to the third period, the Leafs saying that Joshua would not return with an upper-body injury.
Toronto also announced that Brandon Carlo would not return for the third with an upper-body injury. It's unclear when Carlo may have been injured, if it happened while on the ice.
Joshua missed nearly two months earlier in 2026 after suffering a lacerated kidney in January. Joshua missed the beginning of last season for the Vancouver Canucks after undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Leafs lost net minder Anthony Stolarz in the opening minutes of the first period after a non-contact injury following a save. Joseph Woll came in for Toronto in relief
Joshua, 29, has 10 goals & 18 points on the season for Toronto in 54 games played.
Leafs season ends the same it began, full of injuries
As the Toronto Maple Leafs season began, so it ends, injured.
The Leafs have consistently had injuries be a thorn at the side of the team, making an already underwhelming season all the more difficult.
Having sent down Luke Haymes and William Villeneuve to the American Hockey League yesterday, may be once again on standby for the Leafs.
Both Toronto teams will be in New York as the Leafs take on the Islanders tomorrow, with the Marlies taking on the Utica Comets on Friday. Both could debut for Toronto, or at least remain as backup.
It will remain to be seen if both players join the Leafs tomorrow with the Marlies having a day off, depending on the health of Joshua and Carlo.
Villeneuve and Haymes may not be the only call-up as one of Artur Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby potentially starting in place of Joseph Woll, who was supposed to play against the Islanders, instead having been forced into a near full game against Washington.
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