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Is Auston Matthews playing tonight against Bruins? Maple Leafs deliver major injury update
Auston Matthews has come down with an injury. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain suffered an upper-body injury, and he will not play today. However, the Leafs may have dodged a bullet, as he is considered day-to-day and may not even need an Injured Reserve stint.
Matthews has been off to a slow start amid an overall slow start for Toronto, but he is still one of the most talented players in the sport and their captain. Any absence from him will be detrimental to the team.
The Leafs have struggled in a few aspects of the game, namely the power play, and losing Matthews will not do a lot to help them reverse course. Coming into tonight's game with the Boston Bruins, Toronto is 6-5-2.
In all 13 games played, Matthews has only scored five goals and added six assists for 11 total points on the year. It is his first as captain since John Tavares ceded the role.
The Maple Leafs play tonight before having a few days off, which could be all Matthews needs to return to the lineup. Their next contest is not until Friday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Former Maple Leafs star defended Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews' injury won't help him turn around what has been a slow start to the season. The star forward will at least miss one game before being able to return to the lineup.
Former Maple Leaf Carlo Colaiacova came to Matthews' defense amid the slow start:
"This is the challenge of any goal scorer, who has showed that he can score a ton of goals in the league year after year. The challenge is finding new ways to score goals. Even through the struggles, you have to find ways to score, especially if you're the one counted on to score them.
He also noted that Matthews is having to find a new way to play under new head coach Craig Berube, so there's been an adjustment period. He is also adjusting to life as the captain of one of the most prominent NHL teams out there.
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