Leafs: Kapanen expected to play Wednesday

DALLAS— It looks like winger Kasperi Kapanen has avoided that injury bug that has been plaguing the Maple Leafs.

Kapanen practised in full on Tuesday, a day after he left a game after the first period after hurting his elbow.

“It was my second shift and I tried to hit the guy (and missed). My elbow caught the (boards) or something,” said Kapanen. “Nothing severe. Just in that area that gets a little bruised up. It shut down my whole arm and I didn’t have any power. So we just called it after the first period, but we’re hopeful for (Wednesday).” He said he felt OK Tuesday. “I felt good in practice. I wasn’t trying to shoot too many pucks or shoot too hard.”

Injuries have hit the Leafs hard this year, especially wingers, with Zach Hyman, Mitch Marner, Andreas Johnsson, Trevor Moore and Ilya Mikheyev all missing significant time. But Kapanen won’t be among them.

“I’m optimistic both in watching him and talking to him that he seems like he’s recovered well,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He’s got more mobility strength and got through practice with no issues.”