Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Day-to-Day with Upper-Body Injury…
Auston Matthews will sit out Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins due to an upper-body injury, leaving a void for his teammates to fill. The Maple Leafs’ star captain, who is listed as day-to-day, has been dealing with the injury for some time but has been “fighting through it,” according to head coach Craig Berube. However, Berube clarified that this injury is not related to Matthews’ previous wrist issues.
With Matthews sidelined, the Leafs will need to rely on others to step up in his absence as they face off against their Atlantic Division rivals. Further updates on his condition are expected as the team monitors his recovery.
Auston Matthews, who has scored five goals and recorded 11 points in 13 games this season, will miss Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins due to an upper-body injury. Matthews, who played over 22 minutes and registered an assist in Sunday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild, has been battling the issue but has been “fighting through it,” according to head coach Craig Berube. The injury is not related to Matthews’ previous wrist problems.
Without their superstar captain, the Leafs are shifting their focus to team-wide contributions. “Everybody just needs to do their job out there,” Berube said. “I don’t think you focus on, ‘Oh, Auston’s not playing so what are we going to do?’ We’ve got a good team, got good players. People are going to get a little different look in situations, lines, things like that. They’re capable guys, good players. You’ve just got to go play.”
Max Domi will center the top line alongside Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies in Matthews’ absence. Domi, who has six assists this season, has experience in a similar role, having stepped into the center position during the Leafs’ playoff series against Boston last spring when Matthews was sidelined by an illness.
“We’ve got guys that are going to have to step up,” Domi said. “Auston’s such a big part of our team, but that’s how it goes. You’re not going to have your full lineup for all 82 games.”
Marner praised Domi’s versatility, adding, “Very elusive, very fast… makes a lot of great plays, very responsible with the puck.”
The Leafs have previously navigated stretches without Matthews, boasting a 35-19-2 regular-season record and two playoff victories during his absence. Toronto, which lost to Boston in seven games during the first round last spring, will now look to rebound against the Bruins and aim for a strong showing in their next two home games against the Detroit Red Wings (Friday) and the Montreal Canadiens (Saturday).
