Auston Matthews’ status to be determined for Game 7

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews’ status has yet to be determined for Saturday’s Game 7 against the Boston Bruins.

Matthews was pulled from Game 4 during the second intermission with an undisclosed illness and did not play the next two games. It was believed that Matthews played through this illness in Game 3 and 4. He was a full participant during Saturday’s morning skate and did not stay late to take part in extra work with the team’s designated healthy scratches.

“As of right now, we’re proceeding as we’ve been,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Saturday via The Athletic’s Chris Johnston.

Although Matthews’ status is yet to be determined, some believe that Keefe’s wording tends to suggest that Toronto’s superstar centre will miss a third consecutive game.

Matthews submitted arguably his finest performance of his career during a Game 2 victory, notching the game-winning goal and two primary assists. It would be an almost unquantifiable gain for the Maple Leafs if the 2022 Hart Trophy winner is available for Game 7. Max Domi has filled in admirably as Toronto’s first-line centre with Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner on the wings.

Keefe previously told reporters he was under instruction from Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving not to provide daily injury updates and there hasn’t been any significant details revealed about what’s ailing Matthews. If he’s remotely healthy, he will be in the lineup.

In subsequent news, Matthews named as one of the three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most gentlemanly player. Matthews recorded 20 penalty minutes while registering 69 goals and 107 points in 81 games. Elias Pettersson and Jaccob Slavin are the other finalists.

Bobby McMann was on the ice Saturday but will not play in Game 7 due to the lower-body injury suffered against the Detroit Red Wings on April 13.