The Leafs defenseman took one shift to open the game and left the bench during the first television timeout.

DALLAS — The Toronto Maple Leafs may be without Jake McCabe in the short-term future after the defenseman pulled something in the first 10 seconds of the team's 4-1 victory against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

"I would say there is concern there," Keefe said when asked about the severity of the injury. "We won't know the extent of it until we get more information and get a picture (scan of the injury)."

McCabe was in the starting lineup and played in one shift and would not take another. During the first television timeout, the 30-year-old departed to the team's locker room and did not return. For what it is worth, McCabe was spotted after the game in full clothes talking to teammates and players from the Stars after the game in seemingly good spirits.

Toronto played the remainder of the game with five defensemen. Morgan Rielly led all Maple Leafs in ice time at 26:13.

The Maple Leafs acquired McCabe last February in a deal that also brought Sam Lafferty to Toronto (Lafferty was traded to the Vancouver Canucks before the start of this current season). It's been a bit of an up-and-down season for the veteran.

Keefe described McCabe's game as "inconsistent" and "at times very good," as the defenseman gets adjusted to his first full season with the Leafs.

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