Auston Matthews will be missing a second straight must-win game, Sheldon Keefe confirmed <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/auston-matthews-ruled-out-for-game-6">Thursday morning</a>. Matthews took some time skating with the main group before practice began.
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Auston Matthews was on the ice ahead of the Leafs&#39; morning skate. <a href="https://t.co/LqTcshEekm">pic.twitter.com/LqTcshEekm</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1786046206881202500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He was on the ice for around 30 minutes and exerted a lot more of himself with the conditioning staff as seen in the video above. While he looked a lot more engaged, the fact this was happening before the rest of the team hit the ice meant he was likely not going to play, which <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1786059185261584508" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keefe confirmed</a> after the morning skate. Matthews has been battling through an illness and unknown ailment that he picked up in Game 4, <a href="https://twitter.com/emilymkaplan/status/1786052979717484754?s=46&amp;t=ZScKpOPIyd2CPPkszRwq8w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to ESPN&#8217;s Emily Kaplan</a>.
<a href="https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1786049953766199381" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sportsnet&#8217;s Elliotte Friedman noted</a> that Bobby McMann was also on the ice during this session with Matthews. McMann has yet to play in this series and has been out with an injury that dates back to early April. <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/well-start-to-see-him-back-on-the-ice-here-soon-bobby-mcmann-is-progressing-well-hasnt-been-ruled-out-by-maple-leafs-in-series-against-bruins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He has not been ruled out of the series just yet</a> but there is little time left for him to slide back in so the chances of him playing are doubtful.
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Joseph Woll is first goalie off at Leafs skate 
Ready to go in Game 6 <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Edge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TSN_Edge</a>
&mdash; Mark Masters (@markhmasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1786052364824162587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Joseph Woll did not stay out for the morning skate long, which is a good indication he will be getting the nod for Game 6. This likely also indicates that there won&#8217;t be any major changes to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-vs-bruins-game-5-starting-lineups-and-other-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the lineup that was used in Game 5.</a>
A big focal point will be the offensive output as the Leafs have yet to score more than three goals in a game and only have one power-play goal in this series so far. That will need to change if they want any chance of forcing a Game 7 and getting another step closer to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/woll-projected-to-start-matthews-skated-briefly-and-reaves-remaining-optimistic-leafs-practice-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overcoming a 3-1 deficit</a>. I am <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/leafs-need-william-nylander-come-alive-game-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looking at William Nylander</a> as someone who needs to step up as he has not found the back of the net in this series and the past 13 games.
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Kyle Clifford was not the only player recalled as the following eight players have been called up from the Marlies to load up the Black Aces:
Marshall Rifai Alex Steeves Nick Abruzzese Topi Niemela Maxime Lajoie Mikko Kokkonen Dennis Hildeby Dylan Gambrell <a href="https://t.co/K3ZiYgPQMa">pic.twitter.com/K3ZiYgPQMa</a>
&mdash; TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1786038678948651406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With the Marlies season over after losing in the first round to the Belleville Senators over the weekend, the Leafs quietly called up nine players from the AHL to load up the Black Aces. The most notable of the bunch are <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1785872306591375841" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Clifford</a>, Marshall Rifai, and Alex Steeves.
The likelihood of any of these guys getting in the lineup is slim as they are purely reserve players who will be on standby if the Leafs run into injury trouble. Still, it&#8217;s a nice reward for all nine of these players who will get to extend their respective seasons a little bit longer. All of which is to say is the Bruins better keep their heads up <a href="https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1784705688024830018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">when they are in the handshake line</a>.
Game 5 is back in Toronto where you can catch the action on Sportsnet and with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.

Auston Matthews will be missing a second straight must-win game, Sheldon Keefe confirmed <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/auston-matthews-ruled-out-for-game-6">Thursday morning</a>. Matthews took some time skating with the main group before practice began.

https://twitter.com/sportsnet/status/1786046206881202500?s=46&amp;t=l0j4UDHMrkGyvynmxr7H1Q

He was on the ice for around 30 minutes and exerted a lot more of himself with the conditioning staff as seen in the video above. While he looked a lot more engaged, the fact this was happening before the rest of the team hit the ice meant he was likely not going to play, which <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1786059185261584508" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keefe confirmed</a> after the morning skate. Matthews has been battling through an illness and unknown ailment that he picked up in Game 4, <a href="https://twitter.com/emilymkaplan/status/1786052979717484754?s=46&amp;t=ZScKpOPIyd2CPPkszRwq8w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan</a>.

<a href="https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1786049953766199381" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted</a> that Bobby McMann was also on the ice during this session with Matthews. McMann has yet to play in this series and has been out with an injury that dates back to early April. <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/well-start-to-see-him-back-on-the-ice-here-soon-bobby-mcmann-is-progressing-well-hasnt-been-ruled-out-by-maple-leafs-in-series-against-bruins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He has not been ruled out of the series just yet</a> but there is little time left for him to slide back in so the chances of him playing are doubtful.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1786052364824162587

Joseph Woll did not stay out for the morning skate long, which is a good indication he will be getting the nod for Game 6. This likely also indicates that there won't be any major changes to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-vs-bruins-game-5-starting-lineups-and-other-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the lineup that was used in Game 5.</a>

A big focal point will be the offensive output as the Leafs have yet to score more than three goals in a game and only have one power-play goal in this series so far. That will need to change if they want any chance of forcing a Game 7 and getting another step closer to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/woll-projected-to-start-matthews-skated-briefly-and-reaves-remaining-optimistic-leafs-practice-notes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overcoming a 3-1 deficit</a>. I am <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/leafs-need-william-nylander-come-alive-game-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looking at William Nylander</a> as someone who needs to step up as he has not found the back of the net in this series and the past 13 games.

https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1786038678948651406

With the Marlies season over after losing in the first round to the Belleville Senators over the weekend, the Leafs quietly called up nine players from the AHL to load up the Black Aces. The most notable of the bunch are <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1785872306591375841" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Clifford</a>, Marshall Rifai, and Alex Steeves.

The likelihood of any of these guys getting in the lineup is slim as they are purely reserve players who will be on standby if the Leafs run into injury trouble. Still, it's a nice reward for all nine of these players who will get to extend their respective seasons a little bit longer. All of which is to say is the Bruins better keep their heads up <a href="https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1784705688024830018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">when they are in the handshake line</a>.

Game 5 is back in Toronto where you can catch the action on Sportsnet and with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.

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