The Toronto Maple Leafs' defenseman was injured in the first period and is not expected to be available for the remainder of the week, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe.
DALLAS — Another game and another injured defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Victor Mete sustained a lower-body injury when took a hit along the board from Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
The Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed that the defenseman would not return to the game.
"He's going to be miss some time," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed following the Maple Leafs' 4-0 win against the Stars. "We don't think it's going to be anything too serious. But I certainly don't expect him to be available for the rest of this week.
Mete had been in the lineup in each of Toronto's past six games after spending a stretch of time with the Toronto Marlies.
The Maple Leafs are already without Morgan Rielly (knee), Jake Muzzin (spine) and Jordie Benn (upper-body). Toronto is also without TJ Brodie, but he could be nearing a return after taking part in his first full practice since suffering an oblique injury on Nov. 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Leafs signed the 24-year-old Mete to a one-year, $750,000 contract this summer.
The most likely scenario would see Mac Hollowell enter the lineup in Mete's place, leaving a third pair that would consist of two right-handed shots.
Filip Kral, who had played in two games this season, is currently "week-to-week" with an unknown injury sustained while with the Marlies.