Unfortunate News About Auston Matthews Ahead of Atlantic Division Matchup

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Chris Gerics
November 7, 2024 (11:17)

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As the Toronto Maple Leafs get set to take on Atlantic rivals the Detroit Red Wings, they may be down their captain again as Auston Matthews was absent at practice.

It will be an Original Six matchup on Friday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs are coming off a huge 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins that saw the emergence of their powerplay, and a fantastic team effort without captain and superstar Auston Matthews.

Unfortunately for Toronto and for Matthews, they may be apart again for the Red Wings game. Per David Alter on X, Auston Matthews was not on the ice for practice on Thursday, still dealing with his upper-body injury:

It's a worrying sign that what seemed like a fairly innocuous injury has extended past one game. Both the Maple Leafs and its fans are waiting with bated breathe for Matthews' return and hope it's nothing that will affect him for the rest of the year; healed or not.

If Craig Berube wants to win the game Friday, he should keep things as they were, and give Max Domi another chance to helm the top line.

Although, maybe Matthews' absence isn't the end of the world. Toronto has excelled without their superstar and post a very solid 36-19-2 record when he's on the shelf. It's perplexing why the team can come together so cohesively when he's out and then do half of that effort when he's playing. It's a sign that the team relies a bit too much on Matthews at times and needs to start playing like he isn't there.

The Maple Leafs captain is off to a slow start this season, only registering five goals so far. However, given his unluckiness at the beginning of the year with hitting so many posts, to being assigned a more defensive role under Craig Berube; his numbers are down but it's not a bad thing, he's just not solely focused on scoring every goal for Toronto.

Craig Berube Speaks On Auston Matthews' Injury: Nov. 7, 2024

Craig Berube gave a very disheartening update regarding the status of Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, stating that he did not skate at all, and there is currently no timetable for the return of Toronto's superstar:

His status is currently unknown for the games against Detroit and Montreal, but Maple Leafs fans are going to have to hold on a little longer before they see Matthews back.

While it remains to be seen if Matthews will heal up quick enough to face the Red Wings on Friday, if he doesn't then Detroit needs to watch out. They'll be facing an even deadlier and more motivated lineup that has shown they can dominate without the league's best scorer.