Matthews remains out vs. Panthers, to miss 9th straight game
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss his ninth consecutive game Wednesday against the Florida Panthers because of an upper-body injury, head coach Craig Berube announced, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
"He had a real good practice yesterday, but he's been off a while," Berube said. "He needs a little bit more to be ready to go."
The Maple Leafs are also expected to continue to be without fellow forwards Matthew Knies (upper body), Max Domi (lower body), David Kampf (lower body), Calle Jarnkrok (hernia), Max Pacioretty (lower body), and Ryan Reaves (suspension) against the Panthers.
Projected Leafs lineup for tonight’s games in Florida
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 27, 2024
McMann - Tavares - Marner
Robertson - Holmberg - W. Nylander
Grebenkin - Minten - A. Nylander
Steeves - Dewar - Lorentz
McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Ekman-Larsson
Benoit - Timmins
Stolarz starts
Woll@TSN_Edge
Matthews said last Saturday that it was possible he could play Wednesday. His next chance to return will be Saturday vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The three-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner visited a specialist in Germany to help treat his injury, which Matthews said flared up in preseason. It did not require surgery.
The Maple Leafs have gone 7-1-0 in Matthews' absence. Mitch Marner (14 points), William Nylander (11 points), and John Tavares (nine points) have notably stepped up without the former Hart Trophy winner in the lineup.