Matthews (upper body) will be activated from injured reserve ahead of his return to the lineup versus Boston on Saturday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews confirmed after morning practice that he will be back after missing six games. Matthews will center Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner on the top line and see action on the first power-play combination. Matthews has 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games this season.

Matthews (upper body) took part in Wednesday's practice, but he won't play Thursday versus the Islanders, per Dave McCarthy of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Although Matthews is making progress, there isn't a timetable for his return. Thursday will mark his sixth straight game on the shelf, and that's in addition to the nine outings he missed from Nov. 5-27 due to the same injury. He has 11 goals and 23 points in 24 appearances in 2024-25.

Matthews (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews had already been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Islanders despite being a partial participant in Monday's practice session. Tuesday's absence will mark the fifth consecutive game he's missed, so he'll be able to return at any point, but his move to injured reserve frees up a roster spot since Oliver Ekman-Larsson (illness) and Pontus Holmberg (illness) have both been ruled out against the Islanders. Whether Matthews will be available for Thursday's rematch against the Islanders remains to be seen.

Matthews (upper body) was a partial participant in Monday's practice session but has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Islanders, Dave McCarthy of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews has been sidelined since sustaining an upper-body injury against Buffalo on Dec. 20, but he's been getting some ice time during practice in recent days. While he'll be unavailable for a fifth consecutive game Tuesday, he appears to be trending in the right direction. His next opportunity to return will be Thursday in a rematch against the Islanders.

Matthews (upper body) skated for 30 minutes Saturday but will not play versus Washington, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews returned to the ice for the first time since aggravating a previous injury against Buffalo on Dec. 20. It remains unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. Matthews has 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games this season.

Matthews (upper body) is not at practice and will not be in the lineup Friday or Saturday, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews will miss his third and fourth straight games when Toronto plays in Detroit on Friday and host the Capitals on Saturday, respectively. Matthews missed nine games in November with the same injury. He has 11 goals and 23 points in 24 appearances this season. His next chance to return is Dec. 31 at home versus the Islanders.

Matthews (upper body) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jets, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews recently aggravated his upper-body injury, and he'll be unavailable for a second consecutive game ahead of the league's Christmas break. He'll have several days to rest during the layoff before the Maple Leafs face the Red Wings on Friday, while Connor Dewar will likely remain in the lineup Monday.

Matthews (upper body) isn't expected to play Saturday versus the Islanders, according to TSN.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews aggravated the upper-body injury that kept him out for nine games in November in Friday's 6-3 win over Buffalo. He has amassed six goals and 12 points in 11 appearances since returning to the lineup. According to TSN's Chris Johnston, Matthews is also questionable for Monday's matchup versus Winnipeg. John Tavares will probably center the top line during Matthews' absence, while Connor Dewar or Ryan Reaves could play against the Islanders on Saturday.

Matthews scored a power-play goal in Friday's 6-3 win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Matthews doubled Toronto's lead in the early stages of the first period with a wrister following assists from William Nylander and Mitch Marner. Matthews has two goals and two assists during his four-game point streak. The 27-year-old missed nine straight contests in November because of an upper-body injury, but he's been on a tear with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 11 appearances since his return.

Matthews scored a power-play goal Saturday in a 4-2 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

It was his 50th goal of 2024, and the fourth straight calendar year with at least 50. Matthews is the ninth player to do that. The record is seven straight years, which is co-shared by Wayne Gretzky (1981-87) and Mike Bossy (1978-84). Matthews has nine points (five goals, four assists) and 33 shots in eight games since his return Nov. 30 from an upper body injury. It's only a matter of time before he goes on a tear.