Toronto Maple Leafs veteran defenceman Mark Giordano was forced to leave Thursday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes after he lost an edge and crashed hard into the end boards.
The injury occurred midway through the opening period when Giordano jumped up to join the rush. Giordano was able to get a shot off before he fell and then slid into the boards hard with his back.
The 40-year-old defenceman needed assistance getting off the ice and immediately headed down the tunnel to the team’s locker room.
Giordano was playing in just his second game back since taking some time off due to the death of his father 13 days ago. Coming into Thursday’s action, Giordano had one goal and six assists in 37 games for Toronto this season.
The injury is another blow to a Maple Leafs blueline that was already without defenceman Timothy Liljegren who was forced to miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury.
With the team lacking defencemen, forward Mitch Marner was forced to take some shifts on the back end during Thursday’s game. He primarily played on the right side with TJ Brodie as his partner.
