Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe is expected to play against the Blue Jackets

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have avoided another potential blow to their blue line, but injury uncertainty remains.

Jake McCabe is expected to play Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Craig Berube told reporters Monday.

McCabe exited Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens late in the second period after a shot rode his stick and hit him in the face. The Leafs defenseman was seen clutching his jaw after the game.

Meanwhile, forwards Austin Matthews, Matthew Kanes and Nicholas Rowe are close to returning after they all participated in practice on Monday, but their status will be determined closer to Wednesday, Berube said.

Matthews has been out since Nov. 11 against the Boston Bruins after suffering a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Matthews, who has 14 points, was limited to 33 goals in 67 games last season as he dealt with a persistent upper-body injury.

Kane has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old had five goals and 17 assists while playing all 22 games before his absence.

Roy has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury in the team’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 15.

Goaltender Anthony Stallers has not skated since suffering the injury on Nov. 11 against the Bruins and is still “a ways off” per Berube.

Defenseman Brandon Carlo also has yet to skate since suffering an injury against the Blackhawks.