Latest Development Regarding Auston Matthews Paints Confusing Picture for Maple Leafs
The most recent update regarding Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews paints a pretty confusing picture in Toronto ahead of Thursday's rematch with the New York Islanders.
On Tuesday morning, the Maple Leafs stunned fans when they announced that Auston Matthews had been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to December 20th.
Thankfully, the organization confirmed that the move was nothing more than a paper transaction to open up a roster spot for the Leafs to be able to carry 23 players on their roster.
The expectation after that announcement was that Matthews would make his highly anticipated return on Thursday in the Leafs' grudge match with the Islanders in Long Island after securing a 3-1 win on home ice on Tuesday. Now, it's not so clear.
On Wednesday morning, as the Leafs took to the ice for a New Year's Day practice, Auston Matthews was once again a participant, but while many had expected him to be wearing his usual top-6 blue, the captain stepped foot on the ice wearing an extras grey sweater instead.
The feeling among fans at the moment seems to be one disappointment, with many already ruling Matthews out for Thursday's game.
The Leafs do, however, have a back-to-back this weekend coming up against Boston and Philadelphia, so if Matthews is unable to return on Thursday, as originally projected, then he could be aiming to get in some extra practice time with the hopes of returning this weekend.
If Matthews misses Thursday's clash with the Isles, it will mark his 6th consecutive game on the sidelines. The captain also missed 9 games in December with the same mysterious upper-body injury.
The positive note here is that Matthews did not depart for Germany again for treatment, so whatever is ailing him appears to not be as bothersome as it had been previously. Progress is progress.
Matthews has skated in just 24 of the Leafs' 38 games so far this season, amassing 11 goals and 23 points over that span.
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JANVIER 1 | 1997 ANSWERS Latest Development Regarding Auston Matthews Paints Confusing Picture for Maple Leafs Assuming Matthews comes back this weekend, who should his wingers be? | ||
