There’s mostly good news about injuries to the Maple Leafs and especially Blue Jackets attending Sunday’s decisive Game 5 (8pm ET on NBCSN; livestream). The Blue Jackets that Zach Werenski has in the lineup against the Maple Leafs for Game 5 is the biggest bit, but there is more.
[NBC 2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF HUB]
Werenski, Murray, Korpisalo in for Blue Jackets in Game 5
Considering how much bad news about injuries the Blue Jackets picked up in 2019-20, it must be refreshing to get some positive updates for Game 5.
- Perhaps most importantly, Zach Werenski is in.
The offensively gifted defender missed the blistering Game 4 comeback of Maple Leafs, including overtime. That it was fair to ask whether Werenski could fit in the Game 5 for the Blue Jackets against the Maple Leafs.
Well, it would probably be fair to ask if Werenski is at full strength. That’s the nature of the beast during the post season, pandemic or not.
On the one hand, Murray did not really contribute anything offensively. (He has zero points, and only one shot on goal.) On the other, Murray had mostly broken himself completely in the series. Murray’s expected to make a pair with Dean Kukan in Game 5.
The team’s website indicates that John Tortorella said Elvis Merzlikins may have been injured, so maybe it’s not that interesting? Korpisalo started the series on a strong note, but the Maple Leafs got him even more as it went on. We’ll see how Korpisalo and the Blue Jackets react to that wonderful Game 4 loss, and the pressure from the face of the Maple Leafs in that decisive Game 5.
Maple Leafs can get Muzzin back soon – just not against Blue Jackets in Game 5
From the Maple Leafs perspective, the good news is hitting the Blue Jackets in Game 5.
Jake Muzzin will not be expected to play in Game 5, as expected. If the Maple Leafs can win on Sunday, they can get Muzzin back at some point.
Muzzin will not play tonight, but as Leafs progresses, he should be ready for the next round. https://t.co/eVuXcrMUDo
– James Mirtle (@mirtle) August 9, 2020
There’s a chance that Maple Leafs could get Andreas Johnsson for Game 5, by the way:
A potential development hours for Game 5: The #leafs have eliminated Andreas Johnsson from injured reserve.
There has been no confirmation that he is playing – and this would be ahead of schedule after his February of the knee injury in February – but Johnsson is now eligible for dressing.
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 9, 2020
That’s great if Toronto can move forward, but that’s an enormous amount as. Expect a lot of drama on NBCSN on Sunday at 8 p.m. (Again, you can watch it live here.)
(8) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (9) Columbus Blue Jackets (Series 2-2)
Sunday, August 2nd: Blue Jackets 2, Maple Leafs 0 (recap)
Tuesday, August 4th: Maple Leafs 3, Blue Coats 0 (recap)
Thursday, August 6th: Blue Jackets 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) (recap)
Friday, August 7th: Maple Leafs 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT) (recap)
Sunday, August 9th: Blue coats vs. Maple Leafs, 8 pm ET – NBCSN (live broadcast)
MORE:
• 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Qualifier
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro hockey talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.
