Bob McKenzie

10/2/2006 12:58:00 PM

As the Toronto Maple Leafs struggle to deal with an injury-depleted blueline, it is quite likely they will be without defenceman Pavel Kubina for opening against the Ottawa Senators.

The NHL is reviewing Kubina's match penalty from last night's final pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings and it appears he will be suspended for at least one regular-season game.

Kubina crosschecked diminutive Wings' forward Jiri Hudler in the face. Hudler wasn't seriously injured on the play, but it was a largely unprovoked attack after the play had been stopped.

Meanwhile, the NHL is continuing to review Atlanta Thrasher forward Ilya Kovalchuk's match penalty for a kicking motion in a pre-season game against Nasvhille.

Kovalchuk was on the ice, with Predator forward Jordin Tootoo on top of him, and used his leg and skate to push Tootoo away.