Maple Leafs get positive news on Ekman-Larsson, Woll not expected to play vs. Oilers

The Toronto Maple Leafs look to have avoided another long-term injury to their blue line.

Head coach Craig Berube told reporters on Friday that Oliver Ekman-Larsson‘s injury isn’t as serious as initially thought.

“Not bad,” Berube said. “I think tomorrow we’ll know. Hopefully, he can get on the ice and see how it feels. That’s what we’re hoping.”

Ekman-Larsson was attempting to corral a loose puck along the board when Sharks centre Adam Gaudette fell on him, causing the blue-liner’s left ankle to bend at an awkward angle.

He was assisted off the ice by teammates after the incident. The 34-year-old had played just under 14 minutes of ice time and registered a single shot on goal before leaving the ice.

Berube said that further tests were needed to determine the severity of the injury.

Ekman-Larsson has four goals and 16 assists this season, and his 20 points are second amongst Maple Leafs defencemen to Morgan Rielly’s 22.

The Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7 p.m. ET.

One player who isn’t ready to return just yet, however, is goaltender Joseph Woll.

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Woll is eligible to return from injured reserve on Saturday, but it appears as though he’ll need a little bit more time before he can get back in net.

Woll has been sidelined since Dec. 4 with a lower-body injury. After two periods of play against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Maple Leafs replaced Woll in net with Dennis Hildeby.

The next opportunity for Woll to play would come against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.