Maple Leafs’ Matthews status for Game 5 to be determined
Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters that Auston Matthews will travel with the team to Boston for Game 5 against the Bruins, but his status is to be determined.
Auston Matthews (illness) will travel with the #Leafs to Boston, but his status for Game 5 is tbd, per Sheldon Keefe.
Matthews was pulled from Game 4 by doctors and didn’t practise today.
— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) April 29, 2024
Matthews did not practice with the team on Monday.
The Maple Leafs’ forward did not play in the third period in Game 4 of the Leafs’ 3-1 loss to the Bruins on Saturday. Boston now has a 3-1 series lead over Toronto.
After Game 4, Keefe said Matthews’ absence “is all related to the illness he’s dealing with,” adding that the team doctor pulled him from the game.
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews' absence "is all related to the illness he's dealing with" and that the team doctor pulled him from game.
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) April 28, 2024
The 26-year-old Matthews has been a major factor for Toronto through the first four games of the series. The three-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner was the team’s best player in their 5-1 Game 1 loss last week, then followed with a three-point effort (one goal, two assists) in their 3-2 Game 2 win last Monday.
Matthews had 69 goals and 38 assists for 107 points this past season, setting career highs in goals and points and, as mentioned earlier, securing his third goal-scoring title of his career.
Through eight NHL seasons, Matthews has 368 goals and 281 assists for 649 points in 562 career games. In 54 career playoff games, he has 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points.
Game 5 of their seven-game series is Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST in Boston.