Toronto Maple Leafs News

Matthews was involved in a knee on knee collision with Ducks Captain Radko Gudas and immediately left the game. Gudas was issued a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct on the play, and is currently awaiting a decision on any supplemental discipline. Matthews' injury caps what has been a nightmare season for the Maple Leafs. The team did not give any update regarding any potential surgery or timeline for the injury, only saying Matthews would be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. Matthews' season comes to an abrupt end after 60 games played and career lows of 27 goals and 26 assists.

Matthews left the game in the second period after taking an ugly looking knee-on-knee hit from Ducks captain Radko Gudas. Gudas was assessed a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct on the play. We should get an update on Matthews' status ahead of the Maple Leafs game in Buffalo on Saturday.

The Avalanche acquired Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators last Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Blankenburg is a somewhat underrated, 27-year-old two-way defenceman who's put up career highs in goals (six) and assists (15) in just 49 games this season. He quarterbacked the Predators second power-play unit at times this season, but it's unclear where exactly he will slot in on the pecking order of an Avalanche blue-line that just recently swapped out Samuel Girard for Brett Kulak.

After a brief stint of excellent play following Rick Bowness taking over as the Head Coach of the Blue Jackets, Merzlikins has returned to his now-predictable, less-than-stellar play. That said, the 31-year-old Latvian goalie has been on the right side of some unspectacular performances, winning five of his last seven starts (5-1-1) while posting a 2.66 GAA and .891 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favourites against the Florida Panthers, whom they defeated 4-2 one week ago.

Pezzetta was a full-time NHLer with the Montreal Canadiens for the previous three seasons, but has found himself in the AHL for the entire 2025-26 season so far. The 27-year-old forward has 10 points (4G / 6A) in 37 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) this season.

The Panthers have been more liberal with their goalie usage since returning from the Olympic break, which appears to be paying early dividends for Bobrovsky, who has struggled for most of the 2025-26 season. The 37-year-old veteran goalie saved 28 of 29 Shots (.966 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, and has a 2.53 GAA and .914 SV% in four games since returning from the NHL stoppage. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -103 home underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team with points in seven straight games (4-0-3).

Raddysh did not play in Tampa Bay's previous game, but he should return to action on Thursday, resuming his role on the team's top powerplay unit against the Detroit Red Wings. The 30-year-old Raddysh had three assists in his most recent game, Sunday's rollercoaster 8-7 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, giving him 16 points (5G / 11A in his last 13 games.

Wood will take a seat on Tuesday in favour of Danton Heinen. Wood has appeared in 44 games for the Blue Jackets this season, tallying six goals and eight assists.

After a string of high-quality efforts in six starts heading into the Olympic break (5-1-0), posting an excellent 2.03 GAA and .925 SV%, Merzlikins has returned to predictably unreliable performance between the pipes, posting a dreadful 3.79 GAA and .850 SV% in three games (1-1-1) since returning from the league stoppage. Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets have a tough challenge ahead of them on Tuesday, entering the action as significant +208 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that scored 12 goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

Groulx was a second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 26-year-old forward has five points (1G / 4A) in 65 career NHL games, all with the Ducks. He has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he has 50 points (27G / 23A) in 54 games with the Toronto Marlies.

Brisson was drafted 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, but has yet to make his presence felt at the NHL level. He has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he has 27 points (15G / 12A) in 49 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He has one assist in three games with the Rangers this season. Brett Beard has been recalled from Hartford in a corresponding move.

Raddysh is tending to a personal matter and will not play on Tuesday, but will likely target a return on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 30-year-old Raddysh had three assists in Sunday's rollercoaster 8-7 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, giving him 16 points (5G / 11A in his last 13 games.