Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander will not play in Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to a lower-body injury, head coach Craig Berube confirmed via David Alter of The Hockey News.

Nylander leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with three goals and 15 points in nine games. He was ruled out of Saturday’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres due to the injury, but returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Calgary Flames after being listed as a game-time decision. It is believed that Nylander sustained the ailment during Friday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, after getting hit by Jason Zucker.

Sammy Blais will make his Maple Leafs debut, replacing Nylander in the lineup. Blais was claimed off waivers on October 6. The 29-year-old won a Stanley Cup under Berube’s supervision with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Last season, Blais recorded 14 goals and 40 points with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.

“He knows what I expect out of him, and I know what I’m getting out of him,” Berube said of Blais on October 7. “I think more than anything, I know what type of player he is and what he brings to our team, and he knows what I want, so, it’s good to have him.”

Nylander’s absence may force Berube into shuffling the lines, as the team still searches for their ideal combinations. During Tuesday’s game, Nylander was paired with Bobby McMann and Auston Matthews on the top line, and Blais isn’t a natural fit within the top-six. It’s possible that Blais will join Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy on the third line, while rookie Easton Cowan takes over as first-line right wing.

Toronto is entering the second game of a back-to-back, defeating Calgary 4-3 on Tuesday.

Cayden Primeau will start in goal for the Maple Leafs. Primeau has won both of his starts this season, posting an .875 save percentage through two games.