Important update regarding Auston Matthews ahead of Game 6

The odds were stacked against the Toronto Maple Leafs to keep the series alive without their top goal scorer on Tuesday night in Game 5, but they kept their foot to the pedal and lived to see another day after a crucial overtime victory on the road. Matthew Knies scored the game winner early in the extra frame to force a Game 6 as the series shifts back to the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

The Maple Leafs have dealt with their fair share of injuries during the post-season after missing William Nylander for the first three games and then losing Matthews before the third period in Game 4 after he was pulled out by team doctors due to what was originally reported as an illness, which is now believed to be an injury - though the Leafs have kept quiet on the details.

The Leafs did not practice today at the Ford Performance Centre, but Matthews was seen skating by himself, perhaps an optimistic sign that he might be feeling well enough to play in Game 6. Obviously, though, the team's doctors will have the final say.

No one really knows what is ailing the 69-goal scorer but it must be something severe for him to be pulled out of Game 4 and then to miss the elimination game yesterday. With a chance to stun the Boston Bruins on home ice and to force a Game 7 for Saturday night, the Maple Leafs would absolutely love to have Matthews back in action - but at full strength.

We probably won't hear anything concrete about his status until the absolute latest moment but until then we can take solace in the fact that he has been skating and was a game-time decision ahead of Game 5.