Auston Matthews
C TOR
Sun 5/5/24 12:24 AM

Matthews recorded an assist, three shots on goal and six hits in Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins in Game 7.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews missed Games 5 and 6 with an undisclosed injury, and he was able to play just 17:35 in Game 7. The 26-year-old contributed a helper on William Nylander's tally in the third period, but the Maple Leafs held that lead for just 1:21. Matthews ended the playoffs with four points, 20 shots on net, 25 hits and a plus-2 rating over five appearances. His four-year, $53 million contract extension, which he signed in August of 2023, kicks in next season.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Sat 5/4/24 7:53 PM

Matthews (illness) will draw into the lineup for Game 7 versus the Bruins on Saturday, per Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury, according to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, after exiting Game 4 due to an illness. The 26-year-old forward has a goal, three points and 17 shots in four playoff outings this year. Matthews was immensely important to the Leafs' offense during the regular season, providing 69 goals and 107 points across 81 appearances. He should see time on the top power-play unit even though he will start Saturday's contest alongside Pontus Holmberg and Calle Jarnkrok at even strength.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Sat 5/4/24 12:27 PM

Matthews (illness) skated at practice, though his status remains unclear for Saturday's Game 7 against the Bruins, Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
It's the first time Matthews has practiced since he left Game 4 with an illness. He has missed the last two games of the series. Getting Matthews back would be a massive boost for the Leafs in Game 7, though it appears he'll remain a game-time decision for now.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Fri 5/3/24 1:39 PM

Matthews (illness) skated Friday but is still questionable heading into Game 7 against the Bruins on Saturday. Coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "There's been progress...but no determination on his availability," per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews' availability almost certainly won't be confirmed until closer to puck drop Saturday, so fantasy players will likely have to take a wait-and-see approach. Despite not having the world-class center in the lineup, Toronto has managed to win back-to-back games to force a Game 7. If cleared to play, Matthews figures to unseat Max Domi on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Thu 5/2/24 11:52 AM

Matthews (illness) has been ruled out of the lineup for Thursda's Game 6 versus Boston, per Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews was on the ice Thursday for 30 minutes before the morning skate, but he did not participate during regular practice. The superstar center was pulled from action between the second and third periods in Game 4 on Saturday, and he was unable to play in Game 5 on Tuesday. Matthews had a goal and two assists in Game 2, but he has not had a point in any of the three other games in the series. The hope is he will be good to go for Game 7 if Toronto can extend the series with a win Thursday.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Tue 4/30/24 6:33 PM

Matthews (illness) is not expected to play in Game 5 versus the Bruins on Tuesday, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews had limited participation in Tuesday's morning skate after making an early exit from Game 4. The Maple Leafs will be forced to face elimination without the league's top goal scorer in 2023-24. Look for Max Domi and John Tavares to see larger roles due to Matthews being unavailable.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Tue 4/30/24 11:59 AM

Matthews (illness) will be a game-time decision for Game 5 against the Bruins on Tuesday. Coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "We'll see how the rest of the day goes," per David Alter of The Hockey News.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews didn't stay on the ice long during the team's game-day skate, raising doubts regarding his availability. Still, if the 26-year-old California native can get the all-clear from the team doctors, he should immediately reclaim both his top-line and No. 1 power-play roles. By Matthews' standards, he has struggled offensively of late with just one goal in his last six outings.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Mon 4/29/24 12:36 PM

Matthews (illness) will join the Maple Leafs when they travel to Boston for Game 5 on Tuesday but remains questionable after head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters, "We're hopeful he's available and feeling good and back to himself," per ESPN's Kristen Shilton.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews has scored just one goal in his last six contests despite having racked up 34 shots on net and adding two assists over that stretch. Without the world-class center at practice Tuesday, Toronto shifted Max Domi to center in addition to slotting him into Matthews' spot on the No. 1 power-play unit. If Matthews can get even close to 100 percent, he should reclaim both those roles heading into Tuesday's must-win game for Toronto.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Mon 4/29/24 11:05 AM

Matthews (illness), who was pulled from Game 4 against the Bruins on Saturday, was not in attendance for Monday's practice session, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews has produced points in just one of his last six appearances, though he racked up one goal and two helpers in that contest. The 26-year-old center's absence shouldn't come as a significant surprise considering he is trying to recover from a seemingly long-term illness that he tried to push through in Game 4. Without Matthews in the lineup, John Tavares could be given the first-line center role while Max Domi would likely move up to the No. 1 power-play unit. At this point, Matthews should be considered questionable ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday.

Auston Matthews
C TOR
Sat 4/27/24 11:16 PM

Matthews was pulled from Saturday's Game 4 due to the illness he's been dealing with in recent days, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Matthews didn't play in the third period, and head coach Sheldon Keefe explained that the Maple Leafs' doctors pulled the world-class center from the game. The 26-year-old Matthews will have an extra day to recover before Tuesday's must-win Game 5 in Boston.