Leafs head coach provides update on Auston Matthews, who appeared to suffer an injury during Friday's practice
The Leafs were right back on the ice on Friday, following their 3-2 OT loss to the Devils on Thursday night. The Buds have a matchup with the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night and rather than getting a day off between games, head coach Sheldon Keefe held a practice to help the team sharpen up to, hopefully, avoid another loss to the lowly Sabres - a team who they always seem to struggle against.
Unfortunately, during the practice, Leafs superstar forward
Auston Matthews took a shot off the foot and was labouring. After trying to gut it out momentarily, Matthews left practice and would not return, causing more than a moderate amount of concern.
Following practice, Keefe provided an update on his star centerman, labelling him as "fine". Great news for the Buds, as they have already had a hard enough time finding the back of the net - especially at 5v5. I'm sure they'd rather go without a lengthy absence for Matthews.
Matthews has had his fair share of issues with injuries in his young career. He has played a full 82-game season just once in his career - his rookie season, back in 2016-17, though he did play in all of the Leafs' 70 games in a COVID-shortened 2019-20 season.
The 25-year-old was limited to just 73 games last year after his recovery from offseason wrist surgery bled into the start of the 2021-22 season. Here's hoping that the reigning league-MVP can avoid the IR this season and get back to doing what he does best; filling the net.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
POLL |
NOVEMBRE 18 | 170 ANSWERS Leafs head coach provides update on Auston Matthews, who appeared to suffer an injury during Friday's practice Should the Leafs protect their star players as much as possible during practice? |
No, they need to push them during practice | 97 | 57.1 % |
Yes, no use in injuring the top guys in practice | 73 | 42.9 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Dean Chaudhry Leafs Prospect Alex Steeves Cracks Wise About Game Puck After First Career NHL Goal |
|
1 hour ago | By Nick Matthews Eastern Conference Rival Shares Comments on Mitch Marner Following 4 Nations Face-Off |
|
3 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Hot Mic Incident After Scary Scene Could Leave Play-By-Play Announcer In Hot Water |
|
14 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Silly Question Causes Auston Matthews to Scoff at Reporter During Live Interview |
|
17 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Leafs Officially Linked to Top-Six Scoring Winger in Vancouver in New Report |
|
19 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Shares Honest Thoughts After 4 Nations Face-Off Loss |
|
21 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Setback for Max Pacioretty Creates Huge Opportunity for Young Maple Leafs Forward |
|
23 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Leafs Issue Important Announcement Regarding Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner |