'A Little Bit Worse Than What He Was The Other Day': Tyler Bertuzzi Questionable to Play Against Oilers After Missing Practice Due to Illness

Bertuzzi stayed on the bench for half of the first period of Wednesday's 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals after feeling ill.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are unlikely to have Tyler Bertuzzi in the lineup when the club hosts Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

The forward did not take part in the team's practice at Ford Performance Centre on Friday and didn't even show up to the facility as he continued to recover from an illness.

"Not good in that sense. A little bit worse than what he was the other day, with different symptoms and such as well. So (he is) questionable for tomorrow at this point." Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "Not ruled out, but obviously not well enough to be here today."

Bertuzzi began to feel ill just before the club's 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Already short the required amount of forwards for their two-game road trip, Bertuzzi stayed in his equipment and remained on the bench before finally entering the game in the second half of the first period.

It didn't seem to hurt his performance. He scored a goal in the game and handed the 'Player of the Game" belt to friend and linemate Max Domi.

The trio of Bertuzzi, Domi and Auston Matthews had a big game that saw Domi pick up a season-high four assists and Matthews score twice as part of a five-point night.

Matthews was impressed that Bertuzzi was able to stick around and play in the game.

"He's a competitor and stuff like that doesn't really seem to slow him down, even though it's tough to go through that," Matthews said of Bertuzzi. "So, hopefully he's feeling better and maybe ready to go tomorrow."

The Maple Leafs practiced as if they were prepared to be without Bertuzzi. Matthew Knies moved up to the top line to skate with Domi and Matthews.

Bertuzzi has found a groove back on the first line since Mitch Marner sustained a high-ankle injury. After struggling to find his scoring touch for much of the season, Nine of his 15 goals this season have come in February and March and he has three goals and two assists in his last four games.

Signed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract this summer, the 29-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. 

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