Auston Matthews News

Matthews was forced to leave Saturday’s game with an apparent left shoulder injury following a heavy collision with Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba. Matthews missed 20 games last season with two separate “upper-body” injuries and a right shoulder injury that cost him 10 games in March. This is obviously a huge blow to the Maple Leafs lineup as the third-year centre had 10 goals and six assists (16 points) in his first 11 games. Nazem Kadri will step up into a bigger role with Matthews sidelined and this puts added pressure on GM Kyle Dubas to get a deal done with RFA William Nylander.

Matthews has been out since February 22nd but will return Thursday in Nashville. Matthews has had a strong season and the Maple Leafs did well without him. The 20-year-old has registered 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) in 53 games this season.

Matthews was once again on the ice on Monday, but he has already been ruled out for Wednesday’s game vs. Dallas. However, head coach Mike Babcock said that he could “become an option to get back in at some point after that.” If he isn’t playing Wednesday vs. the Stars it seems unlikely that he will play in Buffalo on Thursday, but Saturday’s game vs. Montreal seems like a possibility.

Matthews will miss his sixth straight game with an upper-body injury despite practicing throughout the week. His next chance to return is Wednesday vs. the Stars or Thursday in Buffalo.

The Maple Leafs already announced that Matthews would miss 7-to-10 days and his move to the IR simply opens up a roster spot for Tomas Plekanec, who they traded for on Sunday afternoon. Monitor Matthews’ status as we head into next weekend.

Matthews has missed the last six games with a concussion but will be back on the Maple Leafs top-line tonight. He will skate with Zach Hyman and William Nylander in New York and comes in with 26 points (13G / 13A) in 26 games this season.

Matthews has missed the last six games but was back skating on the top line between William Nylander and Zach Hyman at Friday’s practice and is hopeful that he will play tomorrow vs. the Rangers. The Maple Leafs went 2-4-0 without Matthews in the lineup. If he plays, he brings 13 goals and 13 assists (26 points) in 26 games this season.

Matthews has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he will travel on the Maple Leafs brief two-game road trip before the Christmas break, suggesting that he may play either Wednesday in Columbus or Saturday in New York.

Matthews skated again on Tuesday but will not be in the lineup this afternoon. Matthews will miss his fifth straight game and there is no firm timetable for his return. This likely means he will miss Tuesday’s game in Columbus as well.

Matthews took part in the Maple Leafs optional morning skate and was off of the ice ahead of the scratches, which suggests that he will return to the lineup tonight. Monitor his status when the Leafs hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Matthews has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but skated on the top line in Friday’s practice and his status for Saturday’s game will be determined after their morning skate.