Leafs’ Auston Matthews out for Game 6 vs. Bruins
Posted May 2, 2024 11:34 am.
Last Updated May 2, 2024 5:59 pm.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without Auston Matthews for the second-straight playoff game Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena.
The 26-year-old was not skating with the team but did take to the ice for some work before a morning skate with fellow injured forward Bobby McMann.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed after practice that Matthews will not suit up in Game 6 in Toronto.
Matthews was pulled from Game 4 in the second intermission and did not play Game 5 as he recovers from an undisclosed illness.
“Not one of those run-of-the-mill, everyday type of illnesses that sort of come and go,” Keefe said after Game 4. “This one has lingered, and the effects have lingered and gotten worse when he’s getting on the ice and asserting himself.
“We’ve just got to manage that and give him the time that he needs. We’re hopeful that it’ll turn.”
“We’ve been through it before, and guys responded really well last game,” Leafs Captain John Tavares said on Thursday about playing without Matthews. “Same type of mentality. We have to play together as a group, everyone stepping up and doing more, not one guy trying to fill his shoes.”
In four games against the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series, Matthews has a goal and two assists, each coming in the Maple Leafs’ Game 2 victory in Boston.
Toronto is 2-0 without Matthews in the lineup this season.
Keefe also confirmed that injured forward McMann is making progress but will not play Game 6.
The Maple Leafs look to force a Game 7 against their long-time playoff rivals. Watch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
