'I'm Hoping He's Available Next Game': Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Not Concerned About Mitch Marner's Injury

Marner missed his first game of the season on Tuesday with a lower-body injury.

Following the shocker of a trade that saw pending unrestricted free agent Mikko Rantanen get traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, could the same happen to Mitch Marner?

CALGARY — The Toronto Maple Leafs played in their first game this season without Mitch Marner and the club stepped up in a big way.

William Nylander recorded his second-career NHL hat trick, while Bobby McMann, Matthew Knies and John Tavares all cashed in on goals in a 6-3 win against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AC4TydeHKQ[/embed]

Marner had been a game-time decision leading up to the contest after Toronto's scoring leader was not able to take the ice for practice on Monday nor was he able to take the morning skate.

After initially describing the ailment as maintenance, the Leafs later revealed it was a lower-body injury keeping him out.

Following the game, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked if he felt Marner's injury was serious.

"I don't think it's serious. I'm hoping he's available next game," Berube said of Marner. That's the way I look at it, you know. We'll see if he can get on the ice tomorrow (Wednesday. We'll see how he reacts tomorrow. He was better today, so that was a good sign."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH5-gbLsaEQ[/embed]

Marner was spotted at the rink following the game and walking around without any aid or signs that he was dealing with any sort of injury, which is positive news.

The Leafs are not scheduled to practice on Wednesday, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Marner won't step out onto the ice with other staff to work through what is bothering him.

Marner leads the Leafs this season in points (70) and assists (54). Berube revealed earlier on Tuesday that the ailment occurred at some point during the club's 4-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers. Marner scored the game-winning goal in that contest.

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