Toronto Maple Leafs fans have been waiting with baited breath for an update on supertstar pivot Auston Matthews, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday on a rapid test prior to Maple Leafs practice.
Leafs Nation has been clinging to hope that Matthews, who has been isolating for the last 24 hours, would have his PCR results coming back confirming a false positive, which would allow him to be back in the lineup for the Leafs when they take on the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
Well, great news on that front! Matthews has indeed provided a negative PCR test and, as a result, he has not been ruled out for tomorrow's game vs. the Oilers in what will also be Zach Hyman's much anticipated return to Toronto.
Matthews has been a man possessed this season, looking every bit as sharp as he did last season, when he captured his first Rocket Richard Trophy of what I'm sure will be many.
Matthews has registered 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 28 games for the Buds this season, which puts him on pace to exceed 50 goals this year, provided he can stay healthy.
The 24-year-old is coming off of an incredible December, in which he produced 2 points per game, scoring 10 goals and 14 points over the span of 7 games, prior to the shutdown.