BOSTON — The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ season is on the brink, and they are at risk of bowing out of the playoffs having all four of their star forwards available for just 40 minutes of action.
Auston Matthews was too sick to complete Saturday’s Game 4, which marked the return of winger William Nylander, and now the team’s MVP is questionable for Tuesday’s must-win fifth game at TD Garden.
Down 3-1 to the Boston Bruins in their first-round matchup, the Maple Leafs are “hopeful” Matthews feels well enough to play come puck drop, coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters Monday, but his Game 5 status is “yet to be determined.”
Matthews did not take part in Monday’s practice but did travel with the club to Boston.
The first star (by a mile) of the lone game the Leafs have won, Matthews came down with an unspecified illness shortly after Game 2. He has dressed for both games and just one morning skate since, conserving his energy.
“For whatever reason, it’s not one of those everyday types of illnesses that sort of come and go,” Keefe said. “This one has lingered, and the effects have lingered and gotten worse when he’s on the ice asserting himself.”
Matthews has mustered just four shots total in games 3 and 4, looking a shell of the scoring threat he was in series’ first two games.
When Matthews was too ill to participate in the practice leading up to Game 4, Keefe slotted Connor Dewar in his 1C slot as a placeholder.
Monday was different.
Max Domi centred Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner on an offensively geared first line, and Nylander jumped up to John Tavares’ second unit. This is how Toronto’s top six would shake out should Matthews be unfit to skate.
Domi also took Matthews’ spot on the struggling top power-play unit.
Matthews and Nylander missed just one game combined in the regular season. That neither has been at full health when it matters most has contributed to Toronto’s goal-scoring crisis.
“It’s not ideal not to be without Auston Matthews,” Tavares said. “I mean, you’re talking about one of the best players in the world.
“But there’s tremendous depth, talent and character on this team, and it’s a great opportunity for all of us to step up and raise our game, which is already needed and necessary.”
Yes, staring at a do-or-die Game 5, the Maple Leafs have no choice but get ready to push on without their best player.
“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Keefe said.
One-Timers: Defenceman Timothy Liljegren looks to return to the series after getting scratched in Game 4 for T.J. Brodie. Brodie was a minus-2. … Brad Marchand and Danton Heinen missed practice in Boston due to maintenance. … Bruins coach Jim Montgomery says Justin Brazeau and Derek Forbort are “options” for Game 5. … Both coaches declined to announce their starting goalie. Smart bet: Jeremy Swayman vs. Joseph Woll.
Maple Leafs projected Game 5 lines (if Matthews cannot play):
Bertuzzi – Domi – Marner
Knies – Tavares – Nylander
Robertson – Holmberg – Järnkrok
Dewar – Kämpf – Reaves
Rielly – Lyubushkin
Benoit – McCabe
Edmundson – Liljegren
Woll
Samsonov
