DETROIT – The mystery around Auston Matthews’ undisclosed injury continues to linger.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ top centre sat out Wednesday’s 2-1 home victory and will be a game-time decision Thursday in Detroit, Sheldon Keefe announced.
Matthews is “improving daily,” according to his coach, and participated in the club’s optional morning skate Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s practice. He is day-to-day.
The Maple Leafs are typically forthcoming with injury updates but are playing this one close to the vest.
Matthews underwent successful wrist surgery in August 2021, then erupted on a 60-goal Hart Trophy campaign.
This season, Matthews’ defensive game has been elite, but his shooting percentage has dipped to a career-low 11.6 per cent.
For the first time in his seven-year career, he’s on pace for more assists (53) than goals (40).
Asked if this injury, which has been nagging for a while, has affected Matthews’ shot, Keefe replied: “I’m not going to answer any questions about any of that kind of stuff.”
What we do know, as first reported by Elliotte Friedman, is that (a) this is not a long-term ailment; (b) it is not connected to the Jamie Benn cross-check back on Oct. 20, as some have speculated; and (c) a hand injury should not be ruled out.
The Maple Leafs (26-9-7) carry a three-game win streak into Detroit and have entrenched themselves in a playoff position. They can well afford to let Matthews heal.
Subbing in as centre Wednesday, William Nylander posted two points versus Nashville. So did John Tavares. And Mitch Marner sniped the game-winning power-play goal.
Toronto’s other elite forwards continually elevate their play whenever Matthews is sidelined.
“Guys get different opportunities, and they’re able to play a little bit more maybe,” defenceman Justin Holl reasons. “We have to play a team game every night, but especially when some of your best players are out.”
One-Timers: The Maple Leafs have won an incredible nine in a row versus the Red Wings and are 13-0-2 against Detroit over their past 15 meetings…. Ville Husso vs. Ilya Samsonov is the goaltending matchup…. Birthday boy David Kämpf says he woke up feeling fine today. He took a hard headshot from Nino Niederreiter Wednesday…. The Wings are coming off an explosive 7-5 victory over Winnipeg Tuesday and have a healthy Tyler Bertuzzi back in the lineup.
Maple Leafs projected* lines at Detroit Thursday
Bunting – Nylander – Engvall
Järnkrok – Tavares – Marner
Kerfoot – Kämpf – McMann
Aston-Reese – Holmberg – Hunt
Rielly – Holl
Giordano – Timmins
Sandin – Liljegren
Samsonov starts
Murray
*There are some game-time decisions.
