Jake McCabe Leaves Ice Bleeding After High Stick in Columbus

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe suffered a facial injury after Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson struck him with a high stick during their game in Columbus on October 20, 2026. The incident drew a double-minor penalty after McCabe's face began bleeding, raising concerns about the Toronto defenseman's condition. According to Hockey Patrol, McCabe appeared likely to be OK following the collision.

However, his status for the remainder of the game remained uncertain, with a further evaluation expected during the intermission. Johnson received a double-minor penalty for the high stick because the contact drew blood. The incident occurred early in the matchup and prompted alarm among fans discussing the play on social media, Hockey Patrol reported.

McCabe's injury came as Toronto sought to build momentum after defeating the San Jose Sharks the previous night. The Maple Leafs were attempting to secure their first winning streak of the season, according to Hockey Patrol.

The game also featured a hostile atmosphere for Toronto, with Columbus fans booing Kirill Marchenko whenever he touched the puck. The Blue Jackets scored early before Marchenko responded with a goal to tie the game, according to the source. McCabe's availability for the remaining 40 minutes depended on the team's assessment during the intermission. Toronto faced an additional concern because defenseman Chris Tanev was already out of the lineup, leaving the team wary of further injuries to its blue line.