After Matthew Knies extended the series with an overtime winner in Game 5 on Tuesday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs hoped to gain their superstar forward Auston Matthews back for the remainder of the series. However, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe gave a status update on Thursday morning and ruled out Auston Matthews ahead of Game 6. While this news is a big blow to the Toronto lineup, the team managed to adjust to the absence of their top scorer in Game 5.
Auston Matthews is out for Game 6, per Sheldon Keefe.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 2, 2024
Auston Matthews Game Six Availability Status Update
Matthews was last seen on the ice for five minutes at the morning skate ahead of Game 5 via TVA Sports reporter Renaud Lavoie. Unfortunately, the Rocket Richard Trophy winner continues to battle an illness from Game 4, where he fought through the first two periods. Ultimately, the training staff pulled Matthews out of the game before the third period. The Maple Leafs lost Game Four 4-2 but rebounded with an overtime win in Game 5 without Matthews.
The National Hockey League’s top goal-scorer tallied 69 goals and 38 assists for 107 points in 81 games this season. Before his illness, Matthews notched one goal and two assists for three points in four Stanley Cup Playoff games. On the verge of elimination, Toronto must win on home ice to force Game 7 on Saturday night.
Other News and Notes
Despite the absence of Matthews in Game 5, the Maple Leafs formed a new trio of Mitch Marner, Max Domi, and Tyler Bertuzzi. This line was stellar in the 2-1 overtime win at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
Without Auston Matthews in the lineup for Game 5, the Maple Leafs used Max Domi at center with Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner on his wings. In 11:45 of ice time together at five-on-five, not only did that trio produce 79% of the expected goal share on Tuesday night but they had… pic.twitter.com/DwywoPvIoW
— Meghan Chayka (@MeghanChayka) May 1, 2024
Furthermore, the Maple Leafs will continue to ride with Joseph Woll in goal for Game 6. After Ilya Samsonov captured just one win in the first four games, Toronto turned to Woll to spark a series comeback. Late in the third period of Game 6, Woll made a marvelous pad stop of Trent Frederic to keep Toronto’s season alive.
While the pressure has lessened for the Maple Leafs following Game 6, the franchise must win the next two games to advance. Without their leading scorer, this task will not be easy. However, the new line combinations showed a glimmer of hope for Toronto.
Main photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
