'I Don't Think It Was Targeted': Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Explains How Auston Matthews Re-Aggravated His Upper-Body Injury

A cross-check from Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert re-injured the star forward.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Auston Matthews will not play on Saturday when his club hosts the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

Berube confirmed TSN's Chris Johnston's reporter earlier in the day and explained how Matthews got hit. 

"He took a cross-check there in the late third period on the power play. You know, just aggravated it," Berube said.

Matthews was cross-checked by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert in the third period of Toronto's 6-3 win on Friday at KeyBank Center. Berube was also asked if he felt his star was being targeted for his injury.

"I don't think he's targeted, like, just because Tage Thompson hit him last night?" Berube questioned, referring to a play in the first period in which Morgan Rielly stepped in to defend his captain.

"You've got to look at the game. We knew they were going to be a hard team. They lost 11 in a row. He's just trying to get his team going. I don't see him being targeted, but, you know, he got hit. He took that cross-check for me. That's a penalty. Should have been a 5-on-3 automatic. But, you know, I'm not the ref."

Berube did not rule Matthews out for Monday's finale against the Winnipeg Jets before the team break for the holidays, but he did take a long pause when asked about his captain's status. 

I'll make that decision tomorrow. We will. We will. You know, I'm not going to make that decision alone. I'm not going to go there yet. We're going to see how things go here, and then we'll play it by ear."

Matthews missed nine games in November due to an upper-body injury. Berube said the issue Matthews is dealing with is related but also an "isolated" incident that took place last night. Matthews went over to Germany last month to seek additional treatment but the player nor the club ever divulged specifics about his injury.

Matthews has 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games this season. Connor Dewar and Ryan Reaves will enter Toronto's lineup against Islanders on Saturday. Pontus Holmberg will be scratched.