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John Tavares Week to Week With Lower-Body Injury

Bo Groulx returns to Toronto’s lineup against the Islanders as Tavares joins Chris Tanev among the Maple Leafs’ injured players.

By TSP Staff
John Tavares in Toronto’s blue No. 91 jersey lies on the ice, with Buffalo’s Josh Norris beside him.
John Tavares lies on the ice after a collision against Buffalo in Toronto on October 15, 2026. · Credit: Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press

John Tavares is week to week with a lower-body injury and will miss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ home game against the New York Islanders on Saturday, according to the NHL’s pregame lineup report.

Tavares had seven points in seven games and was injured in a third-period collision with Buffalo forward Josh Norris, according to the NHL.

Bo Groulx will enter Toronto’s lineup after being a healthy scratch in Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Sabres. He is projected to skate with Gavin McKenna and Colton Sissons against the Islanders. Those combinations have not been confirmed as the final lineup.

Chris Tanev also remains out with an upper-body injury. The defenseman skated on his own after the Maple Leafs’ morning skate. Max Domi and Dakota Joshua are also listed among Toronto’s injured players.

Toronto enters Saturday at 3-3-2, with New York at 3-3-1. The game begins at 5 p.m. MT. The matchup also brings together Gavin McKenna and Matthew Schaefer, the past two No. 1 picks.