Scary scene in Toronto as Oliver Ekman-Larsson is helped off the ice

With the Toronto Maple Leafs already dealing with several injuries, the team has been dealt another blow as defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson left the game against the San Jose Sharks after falling over forward Adam Gaudette in the third period.

Ekman-Larsson immediately fell to the ice and was unable to put any pressure on his leg, and needed assistance off the ice, heading directly to the locker room.

The Maple Leafs can't afford to lose another defenseman, especially someone who has been as effective as Ekman-Larsson. In 29 games, the veteran defender has 20 points (4 goals, 16 assists), a plus-seven, 40 blocks, and 24 PIM in 20:57 average TOI.

There is no word yet on the extent of the injury however from initial optics it looks like Ekman-Larsson suffered more than just a stinger, and the Maple Leafs will likely update the media and their fans in the next day or two once they know more.

With Brandon Carlo, and Chris Tanev already on the shelf, losing Ekman-Larsson would put the team down three of their everyday defenseman, and need to rely more on depth pieces.

That means that Philippe Myers will likely slide into the lineup, not to mention the team just lost Dakota Mermis for at least a month after a knee-on-knee hit from Tampa's Gage Goncalves on Monday night.

The injury bug can't seem to stay away from the Maple Leafs as it would now bring them to at least five everyday players who are out: Tanev, Ekman-Larsson, Carlo, Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.

Craig Berube is going to need to get extra creative with what pieces he has left, and it's going to be as imperative as ever that the team plays tight, smart defense and starts generating some more offense up front because they just lost one of their top offensive catalysts.

We may also see a potential call-up from the Marlies though with how they are feeling the injury bug as well, names like William Villeneuve are out for now; the options are getting very slim for Brad Treliving.

We have to wait and see though before jumping to any conclusions, though from the looks of things, Toronto is preparing for life without another one of their key players right when they can't afford to.