Auston Matthews’ injury and expected return date: What Maple Leafs fans can expect in the coming weeks | NHL News
The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing another difficult week as star center Auston Matthews recovers from a lower-body injury. The setback couldn’t come at a more crucial point in the season, with the team already struggling to find consistent form. Matthews, one of the league’s most dominant forwards, suffered the injury during Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins and did not return after taking a hit from defenseman Nikita Zadorov. While the play didn’t draw a penalty, it left Toronto without their leading scorer for the remainder of the night — and potentially longer.According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic and TSN Hockey, Matthews “will miss at least a week” as he undergoes treatment and rest. The injury is said to be minor, but the Maple Leafs are being cautious with their franchise cornerstone. His absence comes amid a rough stretch for Toronto, who have dropped three straight games while conceding five goals in each. The team’s defensive struggles have overshadowed their strong offensive output, ranking third in the NHL with 62 goals but sitting near the bottom in goals allowed.
Auston Matthews’ recovery timeline and impact on the Maple Leafs
Insider Elliotte Friedman offered some reassurance to fans, noting that “Auston Matthews’ injury is considered not serious, but he will miss a couple of games.” While the news prevents a major scare, it still leaves the Maple Leafs scrambling to fill a major offensive void. Matthews has recorded nine goals and five assists in 17 games this season, continuing to lead by example with his precision scoring and playmaking.In his absence, head coach Craig Berube will lean heavily on William Nylander and John Tavares to carry the offensive load. Nick Robertson has also been elevated to the top line alongside Matthew Knies, signaling an opportunity for Toronto’s younger talents to prove their worth. Berube is expected to balance scoring depth with tighter defensive play — something that has eluded the Leafs so far this season.If Matthews is out for a week, he’s likely to miss matchups against the Kings, Blackhawks, Blues, and Blue Jackets. With a tough six-game road trip looming from November 22 to December 4, the Maple Leafs know every point counts. For now, the focus remains on getting Matthews back at full strength — because a healthy Auston Matthews is still Toronto’s best hope to steady the ship.More NHL coverageMaple Leafs in crisis as Auston Matthews’ injury sparks fears of season collapse after brutal Bruins encounterWayne Gretzky delivers blunt verdict on Connor McDavid’s $25 million deal that could reshape the Oilers’ future
