Nick Foligno did not play for the Maple Leafs in their third game of the Stanley Cup first round series against the Canadiens. On Tuesday night, before the second of two consecutive games, coach Sheldon Keefe announced that he would also miss Game 4. The experienced striker is out with an injury to his lower body, the team announced on Monday before the puck drop.
The news that Foligno would miss Game 3 came as a surprise. Just hours earlier, Keefe said, “Nick will be playing tonight.” He also took part in Monday’s pre-game warm-up exercises and participated in onslaught between Alex Galchenyuk and William Nylander.
Foligno didn’t participate in the team’s morning skate on Monday and Toronto didn’t practice on Sunday. Riley Nash took his place in the morning and warmed up too; Nash landed on Foligno’s place in the official line-up. After the game, Keefe said that Foligno is commonplace.
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The Foligno loss left a big hole in the Leafs line-up as the 33-year-old was transferred to the second row from John Tavares. Tavares was injured in Game 1 and is out for an indefinite period. In Game 2 he played over 13:24 with three shots and won 13 of 16 games. The move to the center made sense for Keefe, but it also came after Foligno offered his services in the center.
“We don’t have a lot of options,” said Keefe before Game 2. “Nick played a lot center. He played a lot center in Columbus before he came here this season. Even though he’s on the left, Nick.” He ends up spending a lot of time playing low in the defensive zone. He’s usually high in the offensive zone. He’s usually the first to come back. He’s very comfortable playing low in our own area. It’s a natural fit. “
After coming over from the Blue Jackets shortly before close of trading, Foligno scored four assists in seven games – all on the wing. In two playoff games, he had support for Nylander’s only goal in the loss at Maple Leafs Game 1.
