An update on Auston Matthews ahead of Saturday's game against the Blues
In an incident that was painful to watch, concerning and somewhat funny, Auston Matthews skated himself face-first into his own net on Thursday night. Matthews was pursuing Sidney Crosby behind the Leafs' net and appeared to be so focused on catching him he didn't see the crossbar until he rammed his mouth into it. Matthews left the game, leaving many to wonder whether or not he was done for the night, but he returned late in the game to finish out the final few minutes with a new smile Bobby Clarke would approve of, missing one of his upper teeth.
Matthews hit the post with enough force to knock the net off its pegs and all the way to the boards. There was some concern that the impact could have caused facial fractures beyond the busted tooth, but those fears were alleviated today when Matthews took to the ice for Leafs practice sporting a regular practice jersey.
I don't need to tell you that this is great news for Leafs fans. Matthews has been on an absolute tear lately. Before taking a bite out of the post he had already recorded a breakaway goal and a beautiful assist on Michael Bunting's goal against the Pens.
Matthews is expected to be in the lineup tonight against the St Louis Blues - a team he seems to always score against. Mind you, the way he's been playing this season, most teams are becoming teams he always scores against.
Look for Matthews to pull the trigger early and often in his pursuit of the solo league lead in goals in the always interesting Rocket Richard Trophy race.
