Injury Woes Mount for the Maple Leafs as They Take on Golden Knights

WED NOV 20TH - TORONTO: The Toronto Maple Leafs' depth is being put to the test as injuries continue to pile up for the forward group. The latest blow came today with Max Domi being placed on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body injury he suffered on Saturday against the Oilers. Domi joins a growing list of sidelined forwards, highlighting a challenging stretch for the Leafs regarding injuries. 

Head coach Craig Berube downplayed the severity of Domi's injury, stating, "He just needed some rest", per the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby. However, Domi must remain on the IR for at least seven days, making him ineligible to return before Sunday's game against the Utah Hockey Club. 

In response, Toronto recalled Nikita Grebenkin from the AHL. The 21-year-old winger, who has 4 goals and 10 points in 13 games with the Toronto Marlies this season, is expected to make his NHL debut Wednesday night. "I feel prefect," Grebenkin said, showing confidence before the game. 

Superstar captain Auston Matthews continues to be a glaring absence. Matthews has missed six consecutive games with an upper-body injury and is seeking treatment in Germany. 

More key injuries plague the lineup 

Max Pacioretty - has been sidelined since November 9, when he suffered an injury against the Montreal Canadiens. The team has yet to provide a clear timeline for his return. 

David Kampf - Joined Domi on the injured reserve list Tuesday, also with a lower-body issue. Kampf's absence leaves a significant gap in Toronto's bottom-six forward group, which has relied heavily on his defensive reliability. 

Calie Jarnkrok - hasn't played this season after undergoing groin and sports hernia surgery. The forward was labeled "month-to-month" earlier this week, a discouraging update for a team already struggling with depth.  

Ryan Reaves - Is unavailable due to a five-game suspension from an illegal hit to Edmonton Oilers defensemen Darnell Nurse during Saturday's game. 

Shuffling the lines

With so many forwards missing, the Leafs are forced to get creative with their lineup. Fraser Minten a promising young center, has been called up and will make his season debut on the third line. After recovering from an ankle sprain, Minten registered 4 points in 5 games with the Marlies and will look to make an impact against Vegas. 

Outlook against Vegas

Despite the adversity, Toronto remains determined. The Golden Knights, a strong opponent, will present a significant challenge to a depleted Leafs roster. However, the call ups of Grebenkin and Minten offer  opportunities for fresh talent to shine under the bright lights of Scotiabank Arena. 

Puck drops at 7:30 P.M ET, and all eyes will be on how the Leafs adapt to their mounting injuries. With six key forwards out, Toronto's resilience and depth will be tested more than ever.