The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed that star forward Auston Matthews will miss his sixth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Matthews was placed on injured reserve on November 8, retroactive to November 3, following his last game against the Minnesota Wild. Despite this setback, head coach Craig Berube emphasized that there are no major complications, and the team is prioritizing a full recovery before his return.
The Leafs, currently second in the Atlantic Division, have been performing well in his absence, winning four of their last five games. Matthews’ injury is reportedly unrelated to his previous wrist issues. While his return timeline remains uncertain, the team is hopeful for a recovery within the coming weeks. Matthews has tallied 11 points in 13 games this season, though it’s been a slower start compared to his usual output.
Toronto’s schedule, with several breaks between games, provides a cushion for Matthews’ recovery without putting undue pressure on the lineup. His absence has also allowed younger players, like Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson, to step up and contribute meaningfully.
The focus for the Maple Leafs has been to make sure Matthews fully recovers to 100% and doesn’t have any carryover problems in the near future. Their upcoming schedule plays in their favor that he may not miss too many more contests.
Following their meeting with the Oilers, the Maple Leafs will have just one game in the next seven days, and just four in the final two weeks of November. That slow pace helps get Matthews back to 100% while missing the fewest amount of games possible.
