Matthews says a decision on his status for Saturday vs #NYR won't be made until tomorrow. "Feeling a lot better, feel good out there on the ice. Just trying to get my legs back." #TMLTalk #NHL
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Auston Matthews back at practice today, may play tomorrow
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Keep your head up for what could be an Auston Matthews return just in time for Christmas.
At today’s practice, numerous reporters noted that the Leafs’ pride, joy, catalyst, leader, saviour, etc… was back and skating with the team for the first time since being injured.
Matthews, who hasn’t played for the Leafs since December 9, is currently sidelined with what had been until today, an undisclosed upper-body injury.
However, Kristen Shilton dropped this nugget of info today:
Auston Matthews said he’d felt “normal concussion symptoms” after collision with Morgan Rielly against Pittsburgh. Didn’t go any further. Will be game-time decision against Rangers but hopeful he can return tomorrow
Head injuries are, of course, never positive. But it has been over two weeks since that incident, so perhaps he’s all clear and ready to go.
Save for the 8-1 victory on Tuesday over the Carolina Hurricanes, Auston Matthews could use the Leafs and the Leafs could really use Auston Matthews. He had begun skating earlier this week, but today’s session showed an added step of positivity.
This season, the second-year forward has picked up 13 goals and 13 assists in just 26 games. His 13 goals rank second on the team behind just James van Riemsdyk, while he sits fifth in assists.
Breaking News
- Forget Claude Giroux—The Leafs should target Patrick Kane: Leafs Morning Take
- Maple Leafs hire Daniel Alfredsson as associate head coach, John Gruden and Brad Werenka as assistants
- Jim Hiller tasked with balancing Maple Leafs’ versatility and lineup chemistry
- How the need for speed informed the Maple Leafs’ free agency class
- Maple Leafs don’t have cap space but have flexibility