NHL Reporter Sounds Alarm Over Auston Matthews' Injury After Stars Game
There is concern coming from NHL reporter on the current play of the Toronto Maple Leafs captain since his return from injury, leading to questions on just how healthy Auston Matthews really is.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne on Sportsnet 590 'The FAN' on 'Real Kyper And Bourne' had on Leafs writer Joshua Kloke of The Athletic to discuss the play of Auston Matthews, asking Kloke his thoughts on how the captain has been since his recent return from injury that kept him out of action.
Matthews missed most of November with an upper-body injury suffered Nov. 3rd against the Tampa Bay Lightning, having gone to Germany for treatment.
Leafs writer Kloke wondered if Matthews is potentially suffering from a nagging injury issue as the captain has not been at the typical superstar form he's been used to so effortlessly in recent years, appearing to have taken a step back since returning to the ice.
He looked like he was slower than normal last night.
I mean, the backcheck on the one goal, doesn't that get other players benched for a few shifts.
Doesn't that effort get a fourth liner stapled to the bench for the rest of the period? - Joshua Kloke
Kloke is referring to a goal from Dallas Stars forward Sam Steel in which Matthews struggled not only to lock down Steel, but to even match him in speed.
Plainly, Kloke says it appears the obvious problem is that Matthews looks to be dealing with something causing his issues.
Matthews is still playing fairly well, with 10 goals and 22 points in in 23 games played, a total many players would be comfortable with producing, but not a top star like Matthews who has not been under PPG since his rookie season.
Auston Matthews has and can play better than he currently has, and it needs to be understood what the issue is because for a player of his caliber, just good can't be good enough.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 861 ANSWERS NHL Reporter Sounds Alarm Over Auston Matthews' Injury After Stars Game Do you believe Auston Matthews is at 100% health? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 7.1 % |
| No | 800 | 92.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531249.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531292.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) looks on against Team Finland in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
