Injuries mash Leafs

By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
The most popular place at the Air Canada Centre these days seems to be the trainer's room.

The Maple Leafs, already struggling to offset a recent rash of injuries, got more bad news when right winger Mike Johnson was unable to play last night against the Washington Capitals.

RIB CAGE

Johnson suffered a pull in his rib-cage area during Toronto's 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night.

"It happened near the end of the game," Johnson said last night. "I tried to get against the boards and block a pass. That's when I felt a pull.

"I have to give the training staff credit. I could hardly move (Sunday), but now it feels much better.

"We're just trying to be cautious and get to the point where it doesn't hurt anymore."

Johnson was on the ice during the Leafs' morning skate but felt pain when he attempted to go full out during shooting drills. He hopes to be back in action for the game Thursday in Carolina.

GROIN INJURY

Defenceman Bryan Berard also is aiming to return to the lineup against the Hurricanes. Berard has sat out Toronto's past two games with a groin injury.

Johnson and Berard joined defenceman Alex Karpovtsev (upper body) and centre Nik Antropov (arm) as Leafs scratches last night. Karpovtsev is gone until at least Saturday, while Antropov could be out another two weeks.

Forward Todd Warriner was scheduled to sit out as well because of a minor knee injury. But that became a moot point when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a third-round pick.

To fill out their roster, the Leafs called up defenceman Dimitri Yakushin and forward Adam Mair from their AHL affiliate in St. John's. Going back to the Baby Leafs was defenceman Nathan Dempsey, who suffered a concussion in the first period against Edmonton.

Yakushin had two assists in 16 games for St. John's. Mair ranked second on the Baby Leafs in points (17), assists (12) and plus/minus (plus-8).

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