It has been a rough season so far for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Amongst all the injuries and up-and-down performances, the team has yet to find its rhythm after a very good start to the season. A lot of changes are going to be made with the roster as soon as people return from injury, so it'll be great to see some fresh faces help out.
But unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, they will be without their superstar Auston Matthews for Tuesday's game against Boston, and is listed as day-to-day.
It's a massive blow to the Maple Leafs to be without their captain, as the onus now falls on names like Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Max Domi to pick up the slack. Matthews has been off to a bit of a slow start this season, however, due to his new role as both a defensive and offensive weapon, the goals aren't there.
Currently, there is no word on the extent or severity of the injury, and it's currently listed as upper-body which could be anything from a neck stinger to something with his wrist or hand. The Maple Leafs will have some serious lineup shuffling to do, and it looks like Max Domi will lineup in the middle between Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies, and Pontus Holmberg is presumed to take Domi's spot on the third line.
Craig Berube would move John Tavares up to the first but he doesn't want to meddle with the chemistry of his second line, and giving Domi the opportunity to play on the first line may unlock his offense after going ice-cold recently.
Going against Boston without their superstar is going to be a rough ride, but if anyone can pick up the slack, it's the Maple Leafs. We will have to see how they respond, whether they falter or do what Edmonton did when Connor McDavid went down and get things going elsewhere.
POLL | ||
Will Auston Matthews be injured for a long term or short term | ||