Keefe provides update on Auston Matthews and it may not be what Leafs Nation wants to hear
The Leafs managed to pull out a win against a red hot Nashville Predators team without Auston Matthews in the lineup last night. Now, it looks as though they may have to do the same against the Detroit Red Wings tonight. Matthews was dealing with a nagging injury earlier in the season, but there has been no indication either way as to whether or not that injury is the same one that kept him out of last night's game.
Sheldon Keefe spoke to reporters after today's morning skate and said that Matthews will be a game time decision tonight. The reigning MVP and Rocket Richard Trophy winner is having a bit of a down year offensively by his standards, focusing more on his 2-way play. Despite that, Matthews still has 20 goals and 27 assists through 41 games. It may not be the 60-goal clip he's scored at the last couple seasons, but he's still one of the league's most lethal players.
Honestly, I don't care whether or not Matthews misses a Thursday night game on the second half of a back-to-back or not. I care more about having a healthy Matthews when the Leafs inevitably meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in round one. If the Leafs hold Matthews out tonight based on that, I'm perfectly fine with it. If the Buds put together a winning effort against Nashville on Wednesday, they can do the same against a lesser Detroit team on Thursday.
While he is an important piece, the Leafs are 31-15-2 when Auston Matthews has the night off. This team is deep enough to continue to win, even when faced with some injury adversity.
| POLL | ||
12 JANVIER | 332 ANSWERS Keefe provides update on Auston Matthews and it may not be what Leafs Nation wants to hear Will Auston Matthews score 50 goals this season? | ||
| No, started too slow | 189 | 56.9 % |
| He's gonna hit 60 again | 20 | 6 % |
| He'll get 50, but won't be close to 60 | 123 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||
