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Leafs’ Campbell Out Weeks With Leg Injury, Tkachuk Talks “Dirty” Play

Maple Leafs Jack Campbell is being evaluated for a possible leg injury after what some are calling a dirty play by Matthew Tkachuk.

Late in Sunday’s game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, Jack Campbell was clearly bothered by an injury that was sustained during a scrum inside his goal crease. He skated it off and finished the game, but on Monday, there are questions regarding the nature of his health.

Related: Maple Leafs in Trade Market for a Forward

** Update: Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe says Jack Campbell is out “weeks’ with a leg injury, making Michael Hutchinson the backup. Travis Dermott will be a healthy scratch vs Calgary, his first in more than two years.

This comes at incredibly poor timing for the Leafs who recently lost third-string netminder Aaron Dell on waivers when they had to do some line juggling and roster shuffling.

Previous Campbell Report

Head coach Sheldon Keefe says Campbell wasn’t able to practice today; “Were waiting for things to settle down there (swelling), to see what his condition is going forward.” Speculation is that it’s a left leg issue and there’s a lot of talk less than 24 hours later that Matthew Tkachuk may have intentionally taken liberties with a prone goaltender.

Leafs’ forward Mitch Marner was asked about the play, he responded, “It doesn’t matter what we think. It’s up to the refs to call penalties. We don’t really care to comment on it to be honest.” Keefe added his two cents and said, “I didn’t take it as anything really. I haven’t thought about it, discussed it. And I don’t think about one player ever. I think about entire team and the challenge that is the Calgary Flames.”

Jack Campbell wins game for Leafs despite injury

What Did Tkachuk Say About the Play?

After the questionable play, one in which Tkachuk fell on Campbell and appeared to deliver a knee, James Mirtle of The Athletic wrote, “Keefe says Jack Campbell is being evaluated injury wise and there’s no update on his condition.” Of course, that sparked questions for the Flames forward who has more than a bit of a reputation for crossing the line.

When Tkachuk was asked about the play, he responded, “I feel like there were a lot of scrums in front of the goalie throughout the game – which one are they making a big deal about this time?” When the reporter clarified, Tkachuk added that he was just driving the net like he typically does. “Obviously I had no intention of falling into him or anything like that. It’s just a classic thing to try to accuse me of there.”

He said, “I live in that area” and called it just a typical play in a 6-on-5 situation. Just trying to battle for the puck and pot home the tying goal. He added that he’s still surprised sometimes by some of the things he’s accused of doing, but he doesn’t let it bother him. If it did, it would drive him crazy.

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