Sheldon Keefe reveals his plan with Auston Matthews for season finale
With the elusive 70-goal marker on the line for the final game of the season, many have wondered if Auston Matthews will be in the lineup for the Leafs, or if he will be rested for their final game. Now, Sheldon Keefe has revealed whether or not he will be in.
Auston Matthews is chasing something truly great this year, going for the 70-goal marker that hasn't been done in decades and during a time when the game was much different. To score this many would be an incredible feat, however, Matthews is running out of games to do so. After going without a goal against the Florida Panthers, he needs to score once against the Tampa Bay Lightning to get to 70. Some are arguing, though, that Matthews should rest the final game of the season in order to prep for the playoffs.
Now, Sheldon Keefe has given some insight into whether or not Auston Matthews will play tonight, and signs are pointing to him being in the lineup.
"We'll talk about it, we've got 12 healthy forwards."
The game tonight doesn't mean anything other than Matthew's chance at 70, as the post-season matchups are already set. The Leafs will take on the Boston Bruins, a team they have struggled with this season and have struggled to beat in the past in the post-season.
A team Toronto hasn't beaten in the postseason since 1959
While fans might already be looking ahead to Saturday, we will see if Auston Matthews can make history tonight in the final game before the post-season.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17 | 693 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe reveals his plan with Auston Matthews for season finale Do you think Auston Matthews will be in the lineup tonight against the Lightning in hopes of getting to 70 goals? | ||
| Yes | 639 | 92.2 % |
| No | 54 | 7.8 % |
| 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")
