Matthews is a late scratch for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh because of an illness, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews has 23 goals and 35 points in 27 contests this season. His absence will disrupt his four-game goal-scoring streak in which he's recorded seven tallies and 10 points. Max Domi might serve in a top-six role during Matthews' absence while Pontus Holmberg will likely draw into the lineup after being recalled from AHL Toronto on Saturday.

Matthews scored twice and added an assist Thursday in a 6-5 overtime loss to Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews is in the midst of a four-game, seven-goal (10-point) scoring streak, and he's on pace for a whopping 69 goals. The last guy to get 69? Mario Lemieux (1995-96). It would be Matthews' second 60-goal campaign and that would put him in heady company. Only eight players in NHL history have hit 60 twice, with Lemieux the most recent. The others? Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy, Phil Esposito, Brett Hull, Jari Kurri, Pavel Bure and Steve Yzerman. Even if he only manages 40, it would be the sixth time in eight seasons that he's managed that feat. And if Matthews wins the Rocket Richard again -- which he's leading right now -- it would be his third. The only other NHLer in history to win that trophy more than twice is Alex Ovechkin (nine). Matthews is having an epic season, and honestly, his game was meh until recently. How good can this guy be? Suddenly that question seems rhetorical.

Matthews produced two goals and two assists, with one helper coming on the power play, in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

He opened the scoring early in the first period on a delayed penalty call against New York, as William Nylander danced through the Rangers' defenders before feeding the puck to Matthews for a one-timer. Matthews then helped set up a couple Mitchell Marner tallies before potting his own second goal in the third. Matthews has four multi-point performances in the last six games after slumping through most of November, and on the season the 26-year-old superstar has 21 goals -- tied with Brock Boeser for the NHL lead -- and 32 points through 26 contests.

Matthews scored a goal on a season-high 11 shots in Monday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews put the Leafs ahead 1-0 in the first period, finishing a feed from Mitchell Marner in the slot for his seventh power-play goal of the year. The 26-year-old Matthews now has five goals and seven points in his last five games following an uncharacteristic slump that saw him log just two points over seven contests. He's up to 19 goals -- tied with Nikita Kucherov for the league lead -- and 28 points through 25 outings this season.

Matthews scored twice Saturday in a 4-0 win over Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews jammed a pass from William Nylander in at the left post late in the second period to put the Leafs up 2-0. And he then went five-hole on Kevin Lankinen on the power play at 16:49 of the third to make the score 3-0. Matthews has three two-point games in his last four (four goals, two assists) after putting up just two points in his previous seven games. And he's currently tied at the top of the NHL goal list with 18. This power surge has been great for the Leafs and his fantasy managers.

Matthews collected two goals in a 4-3 overtime loss to Boston on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews couldn't save Toronto, but his second goal, which was scored with just six seconds remaining in the third period, forced overtime and allowed the Maple Leafs to walk away with a point. He ended his four-game goal-scoring drought, which might not sound huge but is tied for his longest slump of the 2023-24 campaign. Through 22 appearances this season, he has 16 goals and 25 points.

Matthews delivered two assists Thursday in a 4-3 shootout win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

The points were his first in four games. And he has put up points in just two of his last eight contests. Coach Sheldon Keefe recently split Matthews and Mitchell Marner up to try to inject some life into the top lines, moving William Nylander up to play with the sniper. And it seems to have produced results. Matthews is too good for this slump to continue. Get ready to hold onto your hat, because he's about to take off.

Matthews scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

He got Toronto on the board midway through the first period on a pinball goal, as William Nylander's pass attempt caromed off Joel Eriksson Ek's stick, Jonas Brodin's skate and Marc-Andre Fleury's pad before going right to Matthews in front of the net, and he didn't miss. The performance snapped a brief three-game point drought for the 26-year-old superstar, but Matthews still has an NHL-leading 14 goals (tied with Kyle Connor) and seven assists through 17 games. Five of his tallies and two of his assists have come on the power play.

Matthews contributed two goals and an assist in Toronto's 6-5 overtime victory over Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Is it too early to start thinking about Matthews scoring 50 goals in the first 50 games of 2023-24? We're just 12 contests in, so it is probably jumping the gun, but to already be at 13 tallies (along with five assists) is something special. Matthews' goals have come in bunches. He opened the campaign with back-to-back hat tricks and after enduring a cold patch, the 26-year-old is on fire again with another six goals over his last three appearances.

Matthews delivered a hat trick in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

It's Matthews' third hattie this season, and he now sits on top of the NHL in goals with 11. He did everything in his power to put the listless Leafs on his back and carry them to a win. Matthews is doing what he can to earn his third Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.