Auston Matthews to miss game 5?

PUBLICATION

Josh tupper
April 29, 2024 (12:11)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Toronto Maple Leafs season will be on the line Tuesday night when they travel to Boston to face the Bruins. The Bruins currently hold a 3-1 series lead and one more victory will send the Bruins through to the second round. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs it appears that things may be even more difficult than original imagined.

On Saturday night, medical staff pulled Auston Matthews from the game after the second period and refused to allow the center to return to the game. The team shared that Matthews has been battling an illness and they hoped time off would help the center return to the lineup. Unfortunately today the Maple Leafs practiced without their star forward.

Doesn't look like Auston Matthews will practice today. #Leafs working on a PP1 drill on another pad with Domi on in place of him.

In previous instances where Matthews had missed practice, the Leafs had opted to use a placeholder in his place. Today, however, the Leafs made the decision to run full line drills, including power play with Max Domi in Auston's place.

Leafs lines during practice Apr. 29/24

Bertuzzi-Domi-Marner
Knies-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Holmberg-Jarnkrok
Dewar-Kampf-Reaves
Extra (Gregor)
Absent: Matthews (illness), McMann (lower-body)

Rielly-Lyubushkin
Benoit-McCabe
Edmundson-Liljegren
Giordano-Brodie
Webber-Timmins

Samsonov, Woll, Jones

This is a large change for the Maple Leafs and could pose a huge issue for Toronto if they're looking to keep their season alive. With William Nylander returning from migraines, Mitch Marner still hampered by a high ankle sprain, it almost seems like the hill is insurmountable for the Leafs.

Update: The Leafs hope Matthews will play

Sheldon Keefe says the Leafs are «hopeful» that Auston Matthews will be available to play in Game 5.