Leafs prepare to shoulder loss of Matthews

When Mike Babcock uses the term “day-to-day ” to describe an injury, he usually means seven to 10 days.

So use that as the basis to estimate how long top scorer Auston Matthews will be out of the Maple Leafs’ lineup, which would include missing the next two noteworthy Atlantic Division games against possible first-round playoff foes Boston and Tampa Bay, as well as next Saturday’s outdoor game against Washington in the NHL’s much-hyped Stadium Series.

Do not assume the Leafs will simply stall without Matthews, with the club in the midst of an eight-game winning streak at home and 13 victories in the past 16 starts. This will be the third time this season they’ve had to play a stretch minus Matthews.

“He’s day-to-day and we’ll know more about the day-to-day tomorrow,” coach Babcock said at Friday’s practice, the day after Matthews is said to have suffered a shoulder injury against the New York Islanders. “He’s going to be out for a bit anyway, so it’s an opportunity to see Willy (Nylander) or (Patrick) Marleau or whoever will play in the middle or someone else. We have guys on the (farm team) Marlies dying for an opportunity, too. We’ll sort it out as we go.”

Matthews, sandwiched by two Isles in a late-game hit after tying the score 3-3, was in obvious discomfort on the bench before going to the room with the right shoulder issue. He had a suspected lower back issue followed by a concussion that sidelined him a total of 10 games earlier in the season. The Leafs are 6-4 without Matthews in the lineup.

“It’s sports. (His previous injuries) are all part of the business. You get to work, get back as fast as you can. He’s a passionate guy who wants to play. I’m not very concerned about him, he’s fine,” said Babcock. “We were joking around in there a minute ago.”