The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was back on the ice at practice on Monday after missing Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was back on the ice at practice on Monday after missing Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.
Noel Acciari took part in a full practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday and barring any sort of setback, the cookie-loving forward is expected to slot back into the lineup on Tuesday when the Leafs visit the New York Islanders.
“He looked good on the ice and he’s had good days on the ice since he left the game the other night,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Acciari. “All signs point to him being available tomorrow.”
Acciari was back skating on a regular fourth line with teammates Zach Aston-Reese and David Kampf on Monday.
Acciari left in the first period of Toronto’s 5-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday after he was hit high by Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesse Puljujarvi.
“He was trying to hold the line and I was trying to backcheck, he caught me off guard and put his hands up,” Acciari said as he recounted the incident. “It is what it is. He was bracing so it makes it seem like he saw it coming, but it is what it is, it’s a hockey play.”
Acciari was on board with missing the game in Ottawa and Toronto’s choice to take precautions. On Saturday, Keefe said that Acciari was not diagnosed with a concussion.
“It was just making sure you feel great and it was back-to-back (games),” Acciari said. “Rather than rush that game and get the extra couple of days to feel better and get back out there with the guys today.
Acciari was acquired from the St. Louis Blues along with forward Ryan O'Reilly in exchange for a collection of draft picks, which included Toronto's first-rounder in 2023.
The 31-year-old has three goals in 13 games with Toronto and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
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