Julia StumbaughApril 30, 2024
Kevin Sousa/NHLI through Getty Images
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews is “not likely to be offered” for Game 5 versus the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, according to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston.
Matthews is “fighting a disease,” and likewise “thought to be nursing a concealed injury,” Siegel and Johnston reported.
The Leafs deal with a 3-1 first-round series deficit and require a win in Boston to extend their postseason.
Matthews missed out on the 3rd duration of the Leafs’ video game Saturday night after skating simply over 14 minutes in the Game 4 loss.
Matthews missed out on practice Friday, prior to Saturday’s Game 4, and once again on Monday, per Joshua Clipperton of The Canadian Press.
He took part in Tuesday’s practice “for about 10 minutes, doing light skating and deflecting shots,” according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star.
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was noncommittal regarding Matthews’ status after Tuesday’s practice.
“He’s overcoming things to attempt to make himself readily available to play,” Keefe stated, according to McGran. “No decision at this time.”
Keefe stated group physicians would eventually choose Matthews’ schedule for the removal video game, per McGran.
“This time of year, the gamers are going to do all that they can to go out there,” Keefe stated. “And then the medical group is going to do all they can to ensure the gamers are readily available, while likewise making certain that they’re looked after. That’s what we’re working through.”
Matthews had actually tape-recorded one shot on internet and 2 hits prior to being pulled by medical professionals from Game 4, per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
He was formerly crucial in the Leafs’ last triumph over the Bruins, helping two times and after that scoring the game-winner in a 3-2 Game 2 triumph that connected the series at 1-1.
Matthews was less of an element throughout Toronto’s Game 3 and Game 4 losses, throughout which Keefe validated Sunday he had actually been handling a disease.
“For whatever factor, it’s not one of those daily kinds of health problems that sort of reoccured,” Keefe stated, per Siegel. “This one has actually remained and the impacts have actually stuck around and worsened when he’s on the ice asserting himself.”
Keefe did not validate the injury reported by Siegel and Johnston. Matthews was removed to the ice by Boston’s Charlie McAvoy throughout Toronto’s Game 3 loss recently.
In case of another lack from Matthews, who won his 3rd Rocket Richard Trophy this season after leading the NHL with 69 objectives, the Leafs will require increased production from other offending stars consisting of Mitch Marner and William Nylander in order to keep the group’s playoff hopes alive.
