Leafs coach still isn't clear on why Matthews isn't playing
The Toronto Maple Leafs will need a bit more time before their captain returns to the lineup.
Today, Leafs coach Craig Berube announced that Auston Matthews will remain out of action when Toronto hosts the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday evening.
“It’s a little bit of a holding pattern, but he’s not getting worse, so that’s a good thing. It’s just taking time. He’s doing what he needs to do to get back in the lineup and get healthy, and our team needs to just push on,” Berube said Monday, as per the Toronto Sun‘s Terry Koshan.
What is Matthews’ injury that’s keeping him out of Leafs lineup?
Matthews has not played in a game since November 3, with an upper-body injury that is connected to one he suffered in preseason. Originally described as a “day-to-day” issue, it appears that the Leafs are being cautious with their most valuable asset.
One positive for the team is that there’s a pretty light schedule this week, as they are off from Thursday to Saturday before taking on the Utah Hockey Club in the first-ever matchup between the two teams on Sunday evening.
Matthews has five goals and six assists in 13 games this season. While he’s still fired off 56 shots on goal this season, his usually lethal shot accuracy hasn’t quite been there, as he’s dropped to a career-low 8.9% shooting percentage, possibly linked to the injury.
Despite missing their captain, the Leafs have performed quite admirably over the last few weeks, as Toronto has gone 5-1-0 in Matthews’ absence.
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