Bertuzzi missed Friday's practice with an illness before his team's 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Bertuzzi missed Friday's practice with an illness before his team's 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Tyler Bertuzzi took part in the Toronto Maple Leafs' optional skate ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, but based on how it went and what Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe explained of his status, it would be a surprise to see him enter the lineup.
"He's here today, so obviously feeling better," Keefe said. "But he's not a sure thing for tonight. It'll be a game-time decision. He's got to continue to get better throughout the day."
Bertuzzi began to feel ill before the Maple Leafs' 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. The forward sat out of the first half of the first period before eventually entering the game and scoring a goal.
He skated around with his teammates during the optional morning skate, something the player didn't usually do when he was healthy and left the session fairly early.
"This will be Bert's call. If he feels he's ready to go, he'll be in. Right now, he's not loving how he's feeling," Keefe said. "So we'll just see how he is through the day. And we'll do what we can to get him up to speed.
"Keeping in mind we do play tomorrow as well. So that may be a factor, too."
The Maple Leafs host the Oilers before flying over to Raleigh after the game to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday evening.
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.
Related
News from THN.com
NHL Sour Rankings: How Celebrini Could Fit In Among the NHL Draft Lottery Hopefuls
Will the Sabres' Record-Setting Jeff Skinner Ever Play in an NHL Playoff Game?
McDavid to Reaves: 11 NHL Players Who Should Star in a Behind-the-Scenes Series