Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will not play Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, due to an upper-body injury, head coach Craig Berube confirmed.
Berube also seemed to indicate Matthews was improving, but he did not attend the optional morning skate.
“We’re going in the right direction. It’s good news,” Berube said.
Matthews previously missed Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins with the injury, and was listed as day-to-day heading into the weekend. He has recorded five goals and 11 points through 13 games this season. Toronto’s power play exploded for three goals against Boston, with William Nylander, Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies getting on the board.
Max Domi will likely remain as Toronto’s top-line centre, with Knies and Mitch Marner on the wings, while Max Pacioretty is expected to remain alongside John Tavares and Nylander in Toronto’s top six.
Toronto has recorded a cumulative 36-19-2 record when Matthews has been out of the lineup throughout his career.
Matthews has been durable throughout his career and his injury isn’t related to the wrist ailments that troubled him throughout the past few seasons. Toronto’s captain has been dominant in all situations, even if his counting stats may have presented a misnomer — Toronto is controlling nearly 58 percent of the expected goals when he’s on the ice at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, while Matthews ranks within the top 10 in individual expected goals.
“I think it’s just a matter of guys trying to take on more responsibility,” Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly said of the team’s stellar record without Matthews. “You realize that you’re at a loss without him. And guys have to step up and pull more weight. The goal will always be to have that mentality when everyone’s healthy and playing. But when you lose a player and an extremely important player like him, you need more from everyone.”
Matthews played in 81 games last season, recording 69 goals and 107 points.
