Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe has proven his resilience once again, returning to practice just days after suffering a significant facial injury during a game. The veteran player took a hard pass from Montreal's Ivan Demidov directly to the jaw during Saturday's match, causing immediate swelling that forced him to leave the game.
Quick Recovery Demonstrates Professional Toughness
Despite the concerning incident that occurred on November 25, 2025, McCabe was back on the ice by Tuesday with his jaw returned to normal size. The team medical staff conducted thorough examinations to ensure no fractures had occurred, giving the green light for his return to practice.
"My face just blew up right away, so they wanted to make sure there was no fracture," McCabe explained to reporters. "I felt lucky on that one I guess. It happens quite a bit, the puck ramps up your stick when trying to thwart a pass or shot."
Seasoned Veteran No Stranger to On-Ice Dangers
McCabe acknowledged being familiar with the legendary photo of former Leafs great Borje Salming's gruesome facial injury from 39 years ago, understanding well the risks inherent to playing defence in the NHL. Like Salming, who required over 200 stitches after a skate-blade incident, McCabe has demonstrated similar healing capabilities throughout his career.
The defenceman has experienced numerous facial injuries throughout his nearly 700 NHL regular-season and playoff games, including direct puck impacts, errant sticks from opponents and teammates, and hard collisions with the boards.
"I don't know, it's part of my DNA to stick around," McCabe said of his durability. "It's a tough sport and I embrace that part of it. Often times it makes you play better."
Family Concerns and Team Importance
The personal side of these injuries becomes apparent when McCabe returns home to his wife Gabriella and their three children. "I wish my face looked a little prettier when I get home," he admitted with a laugh. "But they get used to it as they get older."
His daughter specifically asked before the current road trip if his face would look normal by the end, to which McCabe responded optimistically while knocking on wood for good luck.
McCabe's value to the struggling Maple Leafs lineup cannot be overstated, particularly with the team sitting last in the conference and already missing Chris Tanev for approximately three weeks. Tanev, who blocks more shots than any other Leaf, represents a significant loss that makes McCabe's quick return even more crucial.
Before Saturday's injury, McCabe had played nine consecutive games averaging over 21 minutes of ice time while contributing three goals and ten points offensively.
Head coach Craig Berube expressed both relief and admiration for his defenceman's quick return. "I see him out there today and thought he'd have a bubble (helmet and face shield) on today," Berube remarked with a grin. "He definitely has the toughness, we all see that. We're very fortunate to have him."
The Maple Leafs continue their road trip in Columbus with McCabe ready to contribute despite his recent scare, demonstrating the toughness that has defined his professional career.
