By Canadian Press

Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner out week-to-week with back injury

Mar 1, 2019 | 10:52 AM

TORONTO — Defenceman Jake Gardiner will be out week-to-week with a back injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs said Wednesday.

The Maple Leafs updated Gardiner’s status on Twitter after earlier saying that Gardiner was out of Toronto’s Wednesday night game against visiting Edmonton with an undisclosed injury.

Head coach Mike Babcock said after Toronto’s morning skate that Igor Ozhiganov will start in Gardiner’s place.

Gardiner missed games against the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 20 and Washington Capitals on Jan. 23 with back spasms. He then had the NHL’s all-star break to rest and has played in all 13 Leafs games since then.

Election

Hawtin elected mayor in North Battleford; Battleford, Meadow Lake await results

12h ago

NURSES UNITE

'Giving back' : BUH nurses merge to expand community impact

19h ago

High school CPR

RM of N. Battleford to propose CPR be part of school curriculum

21h ago

However, his playing time has been reduced seemingly in an effort to manage Gardiner’s minutes. Before the back spasms Gardiner averaged 21:40 per game, but since then that time has dropped to 19:31.

Gardiner has two goals and 27 assists in 60 games played this season, but only five assists in his past 13 games.

The Canadian Press