Daniel Winnik will not be in the Maple Leafs line-up Saturday night when they face the New York Rangers.

The 29-year-old centre was stretchered off the ice in the first period of the Maple Leafs' Thursday night loss to the Colorado Avalanche after falling to the ice head first.

Despite passing all concussion protocol, the team decided to keep Winnik out of the line-up.

Winnik has appeared in 13 games for the Maple Leafs this season, scoring one goal and six assists.

The Maple Leafs recalled left wing Josh Leivo from the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies on Friday.

Jonathan Bernier is once again expected to start in net for the Maple Leafs after stopping 31 of 34 shots in the 3-2 shootout loss to the Avs.

Phil Kessel was absent from Saturday morning's practice but will dress against the Rangers. Kessel was absent for a stretch of the third period Thursday night but would return to that game.

However, Jake Gardiner - who left Thursday's game with a reported bone bruise on his knee - was back on the ice Saturday morning. He will be a game-time decision.

Morgan Rielly, who sat Thursday, is expected to return to the line-up as well against New York. Should Gardiner be healthy enough to return, it is expected that Rielly will replace Stuart Percy in the line-up.