Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi remains a “game-time decision” to play in Saturday’s tilt against the Edmonton Oilers, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe.
After playing through illness in what turned out to be a breakthrough game on the Maple Leafs’ rejigged top line on Thursday, Bertuzzi was absent for Friday’s practice.
“He’s here today, so obviously feeling better, but he’s not a sure thing for tonight. He’s a game-time decision,” Keefe told the media on Saturday morning.
“This will be Bert’s call. If he feels he’s ready to go, he’ll be in. Right now he’s not loving how he’s feeling. We’ll see how he is through the day.”
Bertuzzi, 29, has appeared in 67 games for the Maple Leafs, in which he’s scored 15 goals and 34 points. He has three goals and five points in his last five games.
Forward Mitch Marner remains out with a high-ankle sprain he suffered on March 7.
Defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin remains sidelined with an illness and will not play against the Oilers. This will be the third consecutive game missed for the trade deadline acquisition, though he did take to the ice in practice for the first time in six days.
Watch the Maple Leafs take on the Oilers on Hockey Night in Canada, with coverage starting Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. MT.
Tyler Bertuzzi, a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is facing uncertainty regarding his availability for the upcoming game against the Edmonton Oilers. Bertuzzi is currently listed as a ‘game-time decision’ due to an undisclosed issue that has been bothering him in recent days.
Bertuzzi’s potential absence from the lineup could have significant implications for the Maple Leafs, as he has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season. The 27-year-old winger has recorded 15 goals and 20 assists in 52 games played, making him one of the team’s top offensive threats.
If Bertuzzi is unable to play against the Oilers, it will be up to head coach Sheldon Keefe to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by his absence. The Maple Leafs have several options to consider, including calling up a player from their AHL affiliate or shuffling their lines to compensate for Bertuzzi’s absence.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Bertuzzi’s status for the game, Maple Leafs fans are hopeful that he will be able to suit up and contribute to the team’s efforts against the Oilers. Bertuzzi’s presence on the ice provides a much-needed spark for the team and his absence would undoubtedly be felt.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on Tyler Bertuzzi and his availability for the matchup against the Oilers. Maple Leafs fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his status and hoping for a positive outcome that sees him back in the lineup and ready to make an impact on the game.