Maple Leafs should allow Auston Matthews sufficient time to recover from injury
It's no secret that Auston Matthews has been injured all season. With the Leafs guaranteed a playoff spot, the Leafs need to make a decision on Matthews' health.
Leafs Mismanaging Matthews' Health
Auston Matthews has four goals in his last ten games. This is the reigning Rocket Richard (and Hart) winner, producing at a 32-goal pace.
While some of this can be explained by a simple dip in shooting percentage (down to 12.3% from 17.3% in 2021-22), it doesn't bridge the gap.
Matthews also hasn't been the two-way force he was last season. Over these past ten games, he's barely hovered above 50% xGF, even down from his season average of 57%.
Matthews' injury is clearly getting worse, and the Leafs need to let him rest.
If the question comes down to having the home ice advantage in the first round versus having a healthy first-line superstar center, it should be an easy decision.
This type of season-long strain could also have long-term effects on Matthews' health.
It's disappointing to see Leafs management handling this case like this (and with so little transparency). Let Matthews rest and recover, figure out the rest later.
Source: Editor in Leaf
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