BUFFALO – Though he understood the need to protect goaltenders, Nazem Kadri said he was a little surprised to receive a three-game suspension for his collision with Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom. "I didnt quite realize the length was going to be something like this," said Kadri from First Niagara Center in Buffalo on Friday morning. "I maybe thought a fine or a game or two [games] max." Kadri wont be eligible to return until Nov. 21 against Nashville, further hampering the Leafs situation at centre ice. Already forced to move James van Riemsdyk to the middle with Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland both out, the suspension to Kadri could not come at a more precarious time. "Id have to say this is a new one," Randy Carlyle said with a nervous laugh ahead of a home-and-home set with the Sabres. "You have plan A, B, C and D in the drawer and I think were at E and F right now." Those plans will include 28-year-old Trevor Smith, who rejoined the Leafs from the Marlies following a game in Cleveland on Thursday night. Smith, the Marlies captain, has 12 points in seven AHL games, but had been plugged exclusively on a fourth line in previous stints with the club. "We cant expect Trevor Smith to come up at put him on our fourth line," said Carlyle. "Its unfair to him in this situation. When we had other people ahead of him, we had Bozak, we had Bolland, its a little bit different, but in tonights situation hes going to play a prominent role in an offensive line." Smith joins an unlikely group at centre that includes van Riemsdyk, Jay McClement and Jerred Smithson, who was just inked by the organization to an NHL contract last week. Among the leagues most potent groups at even-strength last season, the Leafs have struggled at times to generate offence this season. Over the past four games – three losses – theyve managed just one even-strength goal, a Joffrey Lupul marker in a 3-1 loss to Boston. Second on the team with 14 points, Kadris absence wont help to address the deficiency. "Thats really the most disappointing part is knowing that were short some guys and really I cant do anything to help, but just play the waiting game right now," Kadri said. Kadri had just deflected a shot on goal from Lupul early in the first period Wednesday night before he forcefully bumped a startled Backstrom with arms extended in the Minnesota crease. Later ejected for a thunderous neutral zone hit on Mikael Granlund, the 23-year-old called the collision with Backstrom accidental, but understood the NHLs recent mandate to increase protection for goaltenders. "I was just trying to go to the net hard to make a play and just ran out of real estate and accidentally bumped into him," said Kadri, who had a hearing with NHL Senior VP of player safety Brendan Shanahan on Thursday afternoon. It was here in Buffalo that an increased mandate for such protection started. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was bowled over by Bruins forward Milan Lucic in 2011, leading NHL general managers to request that Shanahan take further action. "I think the temperature of that has changed over the last two years," said Carlyle, acknowledging the role of general managers and ownership around the league. Backstrom was concussed as a result of the incident with Kadri, driving the decision toward a three-game sit-down. "Its definitely understandable," said Kadri, professing hope that Backstrom was okay. "I know theyve kind of cracked down on the interference with the goaltenders and players [have] got to be aware of their surroundings now. 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Matt Kalil has had his share of struggles at left tackle for the Vikings.I especially watch them when I know that hes hard on himself and he had a bad game and I just want to see what hes harping on, said Ryan, who has been in the NFL five years longer than Matt.Ryan has analyzed Matts blocking with a critical eye, but he also remains one of his biggest supporters. Thats what family is for, after all.Its a lot easier on the inside where youre comfortable with a lot of guards. You get out on that island and its a little bit tougher, Ryan said.That rough season bottomed out last week when Matt was called for three penalties for 35 yards. On his way out of the stadium, he knocked a cap off the head of a heckler. The video went viral. Matt was on the phone with their father, Frank, when the exchange occurred.I asked my dad if he heard what happened. He said, Yeah, I heard the whole thing. He said, It was a really ugly deal, Ryan said. The guy called him over, said he was a big fan, asked for his autograph. ... Then he started saying some pretty ugly stuff to him. So I think my brother just kind of reacted. Its probably my fault for picking on him when he was little.The Panthers visit the Vikings on Sunday. Hurting the team with holding calls and missed blocks, Ryan said, has been the hardest part for Matt this year. Matt has struggled with his confidence, partly due to on and off discomfort in the knee on which he had off-season surgery.You cant let that get the best of you. Youve got to trust your abilities, Matt said.Here are some key points to know about the game:PLENTY TO PLAY FOR: Despite that ugly 3-7-1 record, the Panthers dont need any help to win the NFC South. They just have to win their final five games, including intra-division contests at co-leaders Atlanta and New Orleans, to repeat as NFC South champions. The Panthers, though, have they lost five straight games and are 0-3 coming out of their bye week under coach Ron Rivera.Were very lucky. Who knows whats going to happen? Rivera said.ddddddddddddThe Vikings at 4-7 would be tied for the NFC South lead, but theyre out of the running in the NFC North. They gave Green Bay a good game last week in a 24-21 loss, after the division leader had won the previous two games by a combined 108-34 score.Nah, theres no moral victories in the NFL. Its a win or loss, and we didnt come out with a win, said cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who spent the last five seasons with the Panthers.TOLBERTS BACK: Carolinas offence should get a boost with the return of Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert, who missed the last eight games with a hairline fracture in his left leg. Tolbert is the rare hybrid who not only excels at blocking but can run well and catch passes. The Panthers havent had a true fullback on the roster during his absence, so Tolbert ought to help open some holes for veterans DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, who have struggled without him.DEPLETED OFFENSE: The Vikings have had another unproductive season with the ball, ranking 28th in points and 30th in yards entering the weekend. Injuries have exacerbated their issues, and they just lost another starter in right tackle Phil Loadholt with a torn left pectoral muscle.Five other regulars on the offence — quarterback Matt Cassel, running back Adrian Peterson, tight end Kyle Rudolph, right guard Brandon Fusco and wide receiver Jerome Simpson — have appeared in a total of 13 games. Rudolph is the only one who returned.PROTECTING NEWTON: Panthers right tackle Nate Chandler suffered a season-ending right knee injury in a 19-17 loss to Atlanta before the bye week. Rivera picked Mike Remmers, who spent time on the practice squad with the Vikings earlier, to take Chandlers place. This has been a rough season up front, and only Kalil remains in place from last years lineup. Four offensive linemen retired during the off-season, including stalwarts Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton.IMPROVING SECONDARY: Vikings defensive backs have 10 interceptions this year after totalling only six last season. The Vikings were 31st in the league in yards passing allowed in 2013; theyre seventh in 2014.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '