Huge blow as head coach Craig Berube announces yet another piece of devastating news involving Auston Matthews
The Maple Leafs are looking at the possibility of playing another game without their captain, as Auston Matthews remains day-to-day with an undisclosed upper-body injury after missing practice on Thursday.
Matthews did not play in the Leafs’ 4-0 win over Boston on Tuesday due to an injury he’s been battling for some time. The Leafs have a remarkably strong record without Matthews in the lineup at 36-19-2.
It’s almost unexplainable, but veteran Max Pacioretty has a theory. “We’re talking about the best player in the world, you want him in the lineup every night,” said Pacioretty. “There’s no replacing him. There’s a boost when you know he’s in here (the workout facility) doing everything he can to help the team.”
The Leafs play back-to-back games at home this weekend; Friday against Detroit and Saturday against Montreal. It’s still “to be determined” if Matthews will play.
“It’s hard for me to answer that question knowing what I know right now with him today,” said Berube. “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow. I wish I could.”
Forward Connor Dewar and defenceman Jani Hakanpää practised Thursday with the AHL Marlies, the terms of their conditioning stint allowing them to play in the AHL for three games.
“A couple more games down there (with the Marlies) is important for both of them,” said Berube. “They’ve been out a long time. I think they need more games down there to get up to speed.”
Veteran goalie Matt Murray — who has recovered from double-hip surgery — is part of a three-goalie rotation with the Marlies. “It’s good,” said Murray. “There’s a lot of ways things could have gone. It’s good for me to get some games, get my feet wet again.”
“The challenge is keeping them all happy. They’ve been great. They all want to play,” said coach John Gruden. “We have to keep the balance, that they’re all getting their time.”
No Comment! Be the first one.