Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews did not participate in Thursday’s practice, as the team prepares for an upcoming weekend homestand. Matthews is listed as day-to-day and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said his status is yet to be determined for Friday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, and Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
“That’s to be determined still. It’s hard for me to answer that question knowing what I know right now with him today,” Berube said via Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.
Matthews missed Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins due to the injury. He has recorded five goals and 11 points in 13 games to begin the season.
Max Domi remained in Toronto’s top-line centre role, flanked by Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner. The new first line performed well against the Bruins, with Knies and Marner finding real success in all situations, as the Maple Leafs unleashed three power play goals during the 4-0 victory.
Toronto’s forward lines weren’t changed from Tuesday’s game, and it appears likely that the team will be running back the same lineup used against Boston. Conor Timmins remained in place, paired alongside Simon Benoit, while Matt Benning was grouped with Philippe Myers.
Jani Hakanpaa is still working his way back into form from a conditioning stint, as is forward Connor Dewar. Hakanpaa and Dewar’s eventual return to the lineup will likely force the Maple Leafs to make some imminent roster moves — Benning joined the Maple Leafs in a trade centred with the San Jose Sharks centred around Timothy Liljegren and two draft picks on October 30.
Matthews’ injury isn’t considered serious but the Maple Leafs will need to continue to find secondary offense without Matthews in the lineup. William Nylander, Matthew Knies, John Tavares and Matthews have accounted for 63 percent of the team’s goals to begin the season, and there could be a trickle-down effect through the lineup, although the new-look second line of Nylander, Tavares and Max Pacioretty have performed admirably over the past two weeks.
