During the late stages of the game with the Leafs holding a pretty good cushion over the Panthers, Auston Matthews was out on the ice doing some work in the defensive zone. As the play moved closer to the middle of the ice, Matthews was spotted laboring. The broadcast team didn't know what to make of it, but all appearances were that Matthews had injured his wrist on the play.
Thankfully, upon further review, Matthews wasn't favouring his wrist, but more so wincing, hunched over because of where he took a puck. Let's just say, he took a shot in a very sensitive area.
Following the game, Matthews wasted no time in generating some laughter among the media who were present at the arena. When asked about being hit in the final minutes of the game, Matthews' quote was one for the ages.
With all of the injury issues that Matthews has had in recent years, including a significant wrist issue last year, which required surgery, when the broadcast team began talking about a possible wrist injury, we were all holding our breath and hoping for the best. Thankfully, Matthews seemed fine after the game, albeit a little tender and in need of a chair for his media availability.