The Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe announced that Auston Matthews is a game-time decision. This was following him missing today’s practice so questions were expectedly swirling. As of now, it is just being reported as an illness.
Auston Matthews Missing a Game Could be Costly, Individually
One reason this is significant is for the purpose of individual accolades. The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently 40-22-9 and have 11 games remaining in the NHL’s regular season competition. Currently, Matthews sits on 59 goals. Missing a game isn’t a big deal, big picture. In contrast, if Matthews wants to try to hit the magical 70-goal mark, he’s got work to do. Of course, anytime someone dominates offensively like Matthews has been doing this season, you do get streaky. Matthews does have four goals in his previous four games. However, as hot as Matthews can be, scoring 11 goals over the final 10 games, assuming he only misses one, will be tricky. Even for him. We shall see how many he ends up within 2023-24.
What Does this Mean Big Picture for the Leafs
For the Leafs, their lineup is a bit of an unknown for tonight’s clash against fellow current Eastern Conference playoff team, the Washington Capitals. The Caps sit in the final Wild Card position with 81 points. Meanwhile, the Leafs are third in the Atlantic Division with 89 points.
From the Leafs morning skate, Matthews was absent, so the fact he is a game-time decision isn’t hugely surprising. However, the other shuffling that will take place, is still a bit of an unknown as well. Mitch Marner skated on a top line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. But Marner isn’t due back tonight either. Expect some last-minute line juggling by coach Keefe ahead of tonight’s puck drop. For example, Noah Gregor was listed as an extra in the lines from practice this morning, so look for him to draw in.
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