COMING SOON?
Matthews inching closer to returning to Maple Leafs lineup
If and when Auston Matthews comes back to the Maple Leafs lineup, his absence could turn out to be better for him and the team.
Don’t expect Matthews to agree — he’s been a caged tiger for more than two weeks now with a bum shoulder, his third injury this season — but it’s not the past that should matter once the first round of playoffs arrives. The Leafs are still going to make the NHL post-season and their run could be lengthened with a fresh Matthews who is not subject to wear and tear, nor encumbered by speed bumps such as club’s sluggish 10-day road trip.
The leading scorer prior to being caught in a Cal Clutterbuck meat grinder hit on Feb. 22, Matthews is now in full practice mode. However, folks will have to wait a few more days for his return to game action.
Leafs coach Mike Babcock says the No. 1 centre will miss at least Wednesday’s home date against the Dallas Stars, likely making Thursday in Buffalo versus the Sabres doubtful as well. A better bet is Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, just 11 games away from the end of regular season schedule.
Matthews was still wearing his red no-contact jersey on Monday. But he came out with the full team, stayed right through the nearly hour-long workout, participating in some power play drills and staying on after the crowd left for the showers.
The 20-year-old was not made available to the media and later dressed in a private area of the complex.
“He’s obviously feeling way better,” Babcock said. “(But) I noticed when we were doing the contact stuff he didn’t do as much of that, didn’t dive right into it. I never talked to anyone about that, it’s just what I noticed.
“I’d suspect he’d be pushing, not for the Dallas game, but after, I don’t know when. As he feels better, he’ll get involved more. It doesn’t matter who is in the lineup, we expect to win. We have to be dialled in.”
Matthews skated in Toronto while the others were away and losing four straight. They looked a lot better here Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, making their record this year 8-6-2 minus Matthews, when combined with suspected back and concussion issues earlier.
Meanwhile, he’s been getting the full diagnostic from the Leafs’ sports science team.
“It will help him for sure,” Babcock said of the break. “He’s done some skating and he’ll be in better shape when he comes back than when he left. In his previous injuries, he couldn’t skate and that’s really important for him. It will still take him a bit for timing.”
Defenceman Morgan Rielly was encouraged to see his friend stay the duration on Monday.
“We have an outstanding medical staff,” said Rielly, who dealt with a high ankle sprain a couple of years ago. “We respect what they ask us to do.
“It’s business as usual for him in the sense you come to the rink and work as hard as you can. He’s a motivated individual.”
The Leafs did manage to keep up their home win streak alive without Matthews in the lineup, raising it to a club record 10 games. Nylander and newcomer Tomas Plekanec have played at centre in Matthews’ spot, with mixed results.
Absent on Monday was defenceman Nikita Zaitsev, a late scratch on Saturday with the flu.
“He didn’t bounce back the way we expected,” Babcock said. “He’s seeing the doctor today. We think it’s the flu, but it wasn’t done as soon as we expected.”
For now, Connor Carrick and Roman Polak remain on the blue line for the Dallas game.
Winger Josh Leivo, despite getting an assist in just his 15th game, dressed as a defenceman for practice purposes Monday. It could mean Babcock intends on taking a tougher stance against a big Stars’ team, tapping Matt Martin over Leivo.
“I wouldn’t try reading my mind,” Babcock quipped. “I don’t even know what’s going on in there.”