TORONTO — The Maple Leafs have managed fairly effectively minus star centre Auston Matthews.
TORONTO — The Maple Leafs have managed fairly effectively minus star centre Auston Matthews.
The actual fact head coach Craig Berube needed to name a timeout lower than 5 minutes into Saturday’s first interval was indication Toronto wasn’t following its common script.
Now the eye as soon as once more turns to the captain’s well being.
Matthews sat out a 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders after taking a cross-check to the again late in Friday’s victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
The 27-year-old skipped the morning skate earlier than that one earlier than scoring his eleventh aim of the season, however Berube mentioned late Saturday afternoon the three-time Maurice (Rocket) Richard winner would not be obtainable for Toronto’s second sport in 24 hours.
Matthews missed 9 contests final month with an upper-body harm that noticed him journey to Germany for remedy. Berube mentioned Friday’s cross-check from Sabres defenceman Dennis Gilbert had “aggravated” the difficulty.
“We would like him taking part in and feeling good each time he is again and able to go,” mentioned Leafs winger William Nylander, who scored twice towards New York. “I do not know when that’s — hopefully quickly.”
Berube appeared to deduce post-game his greatest participant would sit out Monday’s matinee towards the Winnipeg Jets forward of the NHL’s vacation pause.
“I am hoping right here with the break developing, he can get some reduction, really feel higher,” Berube mentioned. “Be able to go, recharge. That is actually all I can say about it.”
The Leafs, who resume their schedule Dec. 27 in Detroit towards the Crimson Wings, fell to 7-3-0 this season minus Matthews and 42-22-2 since he entered the league in 2016-17.
“It’s totally powerful on him to overlook video games,” Toronto centre John Tavares mentioned. “He does every little thing he can every day to organize himself not solely to play on the highest stage, however be wholesome.
“He’ll proceed with every little thing he must do to get again as quickly as potential.”
Matthews, who scored 69 occasions in 2023-24 for the very best whole by any participant in additional than 30 years, has 23 factors in 24 video games this season.
“An enormous a part of this group and our chief,” Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson mentioned. “Sucks not having him.”
“Greatest participant on this planet, so it undoubtedly hurts,” Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll added. “However on the similar time, I feel our group has proven that we will rise to the event and play regardless who’s within the lineup.”
There was no rising to any event on this night time.
The Islanders scored on two of their first three photographs, forcing Berube to burn his timeout at 4:48 of the primary interval.
“Wake the (expletive) up,” Nylander mentioned of the message.
“Says lots about that sport,” Ekman-Larsson replied when requested concerning the timing of Berube’s message.
The Leafs beat the Stars 5-3 in Dallas on Wednesday earlier than getting previous the lowly Sabres 6-3 on Friday. The Islanders, in the meantime, hadn’t performed since Tuesday.
“You are on a back-to-back, recent group ready for you,” Berube mentioned of his group’s efficiency towards New York. “We hand over two 2-on-1s within the first 5 minutes. Not very sensible.”
Ekman-Larsson mentioned it felt like Toronto was a pair steps behind.
“We weren’t prepared,” he mentioned. “They have been skating and we didn’t.”
Nylander indicated fatigue is not an excuse.
“I do not assume it issues,” he mentioned. “It is simply perhaps extra so psychological.”
MURRAY’S MOVE
Woll was blissful for fellow goaltender Matt Murray, who picked up Friday’s victory following a protracted harm highway.
The 2-time Stanley Cup winner made his first NHL begin in practically 21 months after spending a lot of the previous yr rehabbing coming off bilateral hip surgical procedure.
“Fairly superior,” Woll mentioned of the 30-year-old. “It has been a very long time coming, lengthy highway to get again. Particular to see him get the win.”
RICHARD CHASE
Nylander now has 23 objectives on the season, one again of Edmonton Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl for the NHL lead.
That race, nonetheless, is not on the Swede’s radar.
“Not what I am fascinated about,” he mentioned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 21, 2024.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
