Leafs' Matthews returns for Game 7 loss
Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Saturday's 2-1 Game 7 overtime loss against the Boston Bruins.
Matthews missed the last two games of the first-round series, as well as the third period of Game 4. He was initially dealing with an illness but reportedly also had an undisclosed injury.
The sniper skated on a line with Calle Jarnkrok and Pontus Holmberg.
Game seven lineup@Molson_Canadian | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/s8DZYleb9M
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 5, 2024
The Leafs took some unusual steps at morning skate to conceal any possible signs that would've indicated whether Matthews would play.
The Leafs did all they could this morning to keep some mystery about their Game 7 lineup — namely, whether Auston Matthews plays.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) May 4, 2024
•They dressed all the forwards in one colour
•They didn’t run lines
•They kept the skate to 15 minutes — at which point, Matthews left
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe also tried not to give anything away when he spoke to reporters after the on-ice session.
"As of right now, we're proceeding as we've been," Keefe said, according to TSN's Chris Johnston.
Toronto won both tilts with Matthews out of action by 2-1 margins, including an overtime victory in Game 5. The Leafs rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to force Game 7.
Matthews led the NHL with 69 goals this season, claiming the "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the third time in four years. He's also a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy.
The 26-year-old netted the game-winner in Game 2 and assisted on the Leafs' other two goals in the 3-2 victory but was held off the scoresheet in his other previous appearances.
Matthews registered an assist and three shots on goal in Toronto's season-ending loss.