Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is considered doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, general manager Brad Treliving confirmed via Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.
Matthews would be eligible to return Tuesday after being placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 3 on Friday, with the IR designation requiring a player to miss a minimum of seven days. It would appear unlikely that Matthews will play Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, so his most realistic return date appears to be Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.
“We want to make sure we get ahead of it and hopefully get it behind us once and for all,” Treliving said of Matthews via Koshan on Monday afternoon. “He will remain day to day. I would say he is doubtful for tomorrow, but he skated Saturday and Sunday so we’ll keep going down that path.”
During Saturday’s optional morning skate, Matthews participated in shooting drills and he appeared to be skating and shooting with his usual velocity. Matthews has missed the Maple Leafs’ past three games due to the injury and last played during a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on November 3. He has recorded five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season.
Max Domi has taken Matthews’ place on Toronto’s top line during his absence, with Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner on the wings. Marner is in the midst of an eight-game point-streak and has driven the line, while providing stellar defence against the opposition’s top forwards. Domi and William Nylander were held out of Monday’s practice for maintenance.
Max Pacioretty was placed on injured reserve Monday and is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Pacioretty suffered the injury during Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, clutching the back of his leg while skating off the ice after getting hit by Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson.
