After Sheldon Keefe told the media that @Joe Thornton will be out of action for a month due to a rib fracture, the Leafs made the move to place the 41-year-old forward on long-term injury reserve.

He is now the second Leaf this week to be placed on LTIR after doing the same for Nick Robertson on Thursday. Additionally, they will be without @Auston Matthews who will sit out Friday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers and have their forward depth tested very early. Meaning the likes of @Pierre Engvall and @Adam Brooks will make their season debuts tonight.

In the third period, Thornton got hit by @Josh Archibald and was in immediate discomfort. He went to the locker room afterwards and did not return.

In five games, Thornton has recorded a goal and an assist for two points.