Matthews out 3 games, Mikheyev to miss 8 weeks
The Toronto Maple Leafs ruled out center Auston Matthews for the first three games of the regular season as he continues to work his way back from offseason wrist surgery, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Toronto will also be without winger Ilya Mikheyev for approximately eight weeks due to a broken thumb. He suffered the ailment in Saturday's preseason finale.
Here's a look at Toronto's projected forward lines for opening night following the injury announcements:
Leafs practice lines:
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 11, 2021
Ritchie-Tavares-Marner
Bunting-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Kase
Simmonds-Amadio-Spezza
Extras: Matthews, Semyonov
Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott/Liljegren
Campbell-Mrazek
Meanwhile, Nick Ritchie joined the top power play in Matthews' absence, assuming the net-front role. John Tavares shifted to Matthews' vacant spot on the right flank.
#Leafs try with and without Matthews on the PP at practice. Here is the without.
— David Alter (@dalter) October 11, 2021
🥅
Ritchie
Nylander-Marner-Tavares
Rielly
Simmonds
Engvall-Bunting-Spezza
Sandin
Toronto's first three games come Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by a home-and-home with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday and Saturday.