Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin to miss at least three games with neck injury

Montreal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake Muzzin during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

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TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed veteran defenceman Jake Muzzin on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.

The 33-year-old left Monday’s 4-2 home loss to Arizona with a neck injury after colliding with Coyotes winger Clayton Keller in the second period.

Muzzin, who missed the start of training camp with back discomfort and has a concussion history, will miss at least the next three games — Thursday at home against Dallas, Saturday in Winnipeg and Monday in Vegas.

The Leafs recalled defenceman Filip Kral from the American Hockey League in a corresponding move.

Toronto has dealt with a rash of injuries on its blue line to start the season. Jordie Benn (groin), Carl Dahlstrom (shoulder) and Timothy Liljegren (hernia) all started the schedule on long-term injured reserve.

Leafs goaltender Matt Murray (groin/abductor) joined the trio on LTIR over the weekend.

This report by ´ºÉ«Ö±²¥was first published Oct. 19, 2022.

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