Matthews is believed to have reaggravated the same injury that cost him nine games during Friday night’s win over the Buffalo Sabres.
The Maple Leafs are bracing to be without captain Auston Matthews for Saturday night’s game against the New York Islanders, the Star has confirmed.
Matthews is believed to have reaggravated the same injury that cost him nine games during Friday night’s win over the Buffalo Sabres. He had skipped the morning skate Friday, the team calling it a “maintenance” day.
“He’s fighting through it and he’s doing a pretty good job out there on the ice,” coach Craig Berube told reporters Friday. “He’s producing and playing hard and working and, you know, we just got to manage it … it’ll get better. We’ve just got to manage it though. And that’s why he’s off the ice today.”
After what was a physical game, he was asked about his health and how he felt. “Good,” he said in response to the question.
Morgan Rielly drops the gloves with Tage Thompson after Thompson caught Matthews with a check.
The Sabres seemed to target him. Tage Thompson hit him hard, prompting Morgan Rielly to drop the gloves.
Matthews scored his 11th goal of the season against the Sabres.