USA’s Auston Matthews won’t play vs. Sweden due to upper-body soreness; expected to play in final vs. Canada

Team USA captain Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs will not play in Monday’s round-robin closer against Sweden at the 4 Nations Face-Off due to upper-body soreness, reports The Athletic’s Michael Russo.

Russo adds that Matthews is expected to return to the lineup for Thursday’s championship final against Canada.

Through two appearances at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthews has registered one assist. With the Maple Leafs this season, the first-year captain has notched 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 40 outings. The 27-year-old Arizona product has also been sidelined for two stretches this season totaling 15 games due to an upper-body ailment. During his first absence in November, Matthews traveled to Germany to receive medical treatment.

Originally chosen atop the 2016 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs, Matthews has totaled 602 career contests in which he has collected 388 goals and 306 assists for 694 points. Over his nine-year career, Matthews has been presented with the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy on three occasions, in recognition of the NHL’s top goal scorer. Matthews has twice broken the 60-goal plateau, including a career-high 69 goals coming in 81 games a year ago.

Prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthews most recently represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship where through 10 outings he finished tied for top spot in team scoring with nine points. Matthews also joined the American rendition at the 2015 and 2016 World Juniors, with the latter year highlighted by a bronze medal victory after he put up 11 points including a tournament-leading seven goals through seven appearances and was later named to the World Junior All-Star Team.

Beyond Matthews, Team USA will also be without Florida Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk on Monday as he heals an undisclosed injury ahead of the championship final.