The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without John Tavares when they face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, after the veteran center and his wife, Aryne, welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy named Tucker.
Head coach Jim Hiller confirmed Tavares' absence Friday after Tavares missed the team's practice in Las Vegas for family reasons. The 36-year-old returned home to be with his family following the birth.
Tavares has recorded one goal and two assists for three points through five games this season, averaging 17 minutes and 10 seconds of ice time per contest. Since joining Toronto in the 2018-19 season, he has been a regular presence at center and an integral part of the team's leadership group.
Across his NHL career, Tavares has accumulated 526 goals and 662 assists for 1,118 points in 1,271 games.
Nick Paul is expected to take over at second-line center, skating between William Nylander and Easton Cowan. Paul has one goal and one assist in five games this season, scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss. He has also spent time playing alongside Cowan earlier in the campaign.
The remaining forward combinations have also been adjusted. Gavin McKenna is set to skate with Colton Sissons and Bo Groulx on the third line, while Zack MacEwen, Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime form the fourth line. Auston Matthews, Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic remain together on the top line.
Article Continues BelowThe Maple Leafs have also called up Miles Wood from its American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. However, it remains unclear whether Wood will enter the lineup against the Avalanche or whether MacEwen will retain his place.
Saturday's contest begins at 7 p.m. ET, with Toronto continuing its three-game Western road trip against the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday before returning home Thursday to face the Buffalo Sabres.