The Maple Leafs have managed to win two crucial elimination games without their star player — and it appears they may have to do it again.
According to a report from The Athletic, Auston Matthews is unlikely to take part in Game 7 against the Bruins, despite Toronto’s victories in the past two matchups, including a 2-1 win on Thursday, where Matthews was absent.
The nature of Matthews’ injury remains shrouded in mystery within the secretive realm of NHL playoff injuries.
Matthews had been battling illness during Games 3 and 4 before sustaining an injury from what was described as a minor hit while playing through illness, as per the report.
During Game 4, team doctors decided to remove him from play during the second intermission. One source cited by The Athletic characterized allowing Matthews to play in Game 7 as “reckless.”
