Matthews out but Andersen back on ice
Wrist injury not serious for team’s top scorer, as key players set to return
The Maple Leafs are not worried about Auston Matthews missing a length of time in his latest bout with a wrist issue.
“He’s listed as day to day … but it’s not something that will hold him out for long,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Thursday, before Matthews missed the Leafs game against Winnipeg.
Matthews, who leads the NHL with 32 goals, went on the ice Thursday morning to test his wrist out, but left before the full team skate. He was replaced by Adam Brooks in the active roster for the Jets game.
When asked if Matthews’ latest injury is the same as the wrist problem he experienced earlier this season, Keefe said “it’s similar, but not the same.”
Toronto was buoyed Thursday by goaltender Frederik Andersen’s return to the ice, the return of forward Nick Robertson from the COVID-19 protocol list, and William Nylander’s imminent return from a sevenday quarantine.
“(Nylander) is waiting for one more negative test … if the test is negative, he can join the team (Friday),” Keefe said, adding the forward will need several practice sessions before he is ready for a game.
With Matthews, the natural move was to be cautious and keep him out of Thursday’s game. And he’ll get at least one extra day of rest with the NHL pushing the Leafs’ games in Vancouver back a day, from Saturday and Monday to Sunday and Tuesday.
Matthews began playing through injury in February, and it was thought that he had all but recovered during a recent scoring tear.
The 23-year-old centre had 12 goals in his first 18 games this season, then went on a fivegame goalless streak after scoring a pair of goals Feb. 20. It was clear, from witnessing the release on his terrific wrist shot, that he was not able to unload the shot with the same force. But Matthews had showed clear improvement until Thursday’s setback.
The Leafs star had 20 goals in
his past 22 games, including eight in his past six games. He has a commanding lead in the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy — he entered Thursday six goals ahead of Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen — despite missing four games this season.
John Tavares replaced Matthews as the top-line centre between Mitch Marner and Alex Galchenyuk on Thursday.
As for Andersen’s progress from a lower-body injury, Keefe cleared up a previous belief that the goalie had not skated since March 19, the date of his last game.
“This wasn’t the first time he’s been on the ice, and the fact he’s (skating Thursday, prior to the morning skate) is a good sign,” Keefe said. “This is all part of the process. I don’t think he’s close (to returning to practice) at this time. But it’s my understanding he will be on the road with us (for a five-game trip), so that’s very encouraging.”
Added Zach Hyman: “It was awesome to see Freddie on the ice … he’s a massive, massive part of this team.”
The Leafs are a dozen games away from the end of the regular season. They could get Matthews back after one game’s rest, at the minimum, and should have Nylander ready to play at some point next week. Andersen likely takes longer to get ready.
They will get more help from forward Nick Foligno, currently in quarantine. His first game could be Wednesday in Winnipeg. Newly acquired defenceman Ben Hutton should also be ready to play around that time.