Maple Leafs Star’s Status Questionable Due to Illness

The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing for their first Saturday contest of the season but might not have a key forward in the lineup. During the morning skate ahead of their meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Maple Leafs announced that star forward John Tavares is absent due to illness.There was no further information given regarding Tavares’ status for the game against the Penguins.Maple Leafs F John Tavares will not skate this morning (illness).— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 12, 2024At the moment, Tavares’ status seems questionable due to the illness. During the skate, the Maple Leafs ran lines that would suggest Tavares will miss game action.In their first two games, Tavares played second-line center with Max Domi on his wing. Domi has the skill set to also play the center position and was doing so at the morning skate.Domi skated as the third-line center with Max Pacioretty and Nick Robertson on his wings. Pontus Holmberg took over as the second-line center.Forward…