Matthews out with shoulder injury

TORONTO — Auston Matthews will be out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup with a shoulder injury when they host the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

“He’s day-to-day,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock confirmed following practice on Friday. “He’ll get looked at more today, and then we’ll know more about the day-today tomorrow.”

Babcock has used the term “day-today” to describe an injury in which he feels a player will out of the lineup for approximately 10 days.

Matthews underwent an MRI on Friday morning, and a clearer indication of the severity of the injury is expected on Saturday.

One shift after scoring his 28th goal of the season in Thursday’s 4-3 win over the New York Islanders, Matthews left the game following a hit in which he was sandwiched by defenceman Adam Pelech and forward Ryan Clutterbuck at 18:51 of the third period.

Matthews has 28 goals and 22 points in 53 games this season. His departure from the lineup will result in a shifting of lines.

William Nylander will move from the wing to centre to fill Matthews’ spot. Connor Brown will be elevated to play on the right wing to fill Nylander’s spot on the team’s top line.

“I just try to play the same way,” Nylander said. “It’s a little different of a position, but mentally you try to play the same way, not much changes in the game.”

Matthews missed 10 games this season due to injury. On Nov. 8, he missed four games with an upperbody ailment. On Dec. 9, Matthews collided with teammate Morgan Rielly in a game against Pittsburgh. He missed the next six games due to a concussion.

“Auston’s going to be out for a bit anyway, so it’s an opportunity,” Babcock added.