Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev will miss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night, Sportsnet reported, citing head coach Jim Hiller.

Rielly is sidelined with a lower-body injury, while Tanev is sitting out for planned maintenance. Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard are set to enter the lineup.

Rielly left Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens in the second period and was ruled out by the team. The 32-year-old had played in all 18 games this season, recording 12 assists and averaging 19 minutes 31 seconds of ice time.

Tanev sustained an upper-body injury in October, and Hiller told reporters Sunday that resting the defenceman on back-to-back nights could become a regular approach. The 36-year-old has one assist in nine games this season, averaging 17:45 on the ice.

McWard, 25, has spent time with the Maple Leafs this season but has yet to appear in a game. He has four assists in seven games with the Toronto Marlies.

Sources