Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins after taking a hit from Nikita Zadorov during the second period. Matthews was ruled out during the third period with a lower-body injury, the team confirmed.

Matthews went to the locker room during a TV timeout, after getting sent into the boards. Here is the play in question:

Toronto’s captain played 10:51 and did not record a shot, prior to leaving the game.

It would be a crushing loss for the Maple Leafs if Matthews missed any time at all. Matthews missed 15 games last season due to a lingering upper-body injury, where his velocity and location were affected. During his first year as Maple Leafs’ captain, Matthews recorded 33 goals and 78 points in 67 games. Matthews has recorded nine goals and 14 points to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Matthews is two years removed from a 69-goal campaign, the best output by any player since Mario Lemieux during the 1995-96 season. He is the Maple Leafs’ franchise player and started the season as one of the NHL’s best shot creators at 5-on-5.

Prior to the start of the season, Matthews said he’s fully healthy, while being cognizant of his workload as he is expected to captain the United States men’s hockey team during the Olympics.

“I think you just have to manage it as the season goes along,” Matthews said on September 17. “I think for myself, over the last couple of years, this summer especially, I think you look internally at what’s worked for you, what hasn’t worked. I’ve always enjoyed different challenges over the summer, and change, whether it’s routine, workout stuff, on ice. I just think it’s as how the season goes along. It’s a pretty condensed season, similar to the COVID year, with the Olympics and all that. My main focus is obviously camp and when that time comes, I’ll take that on when it comes.”

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