Knee Sprain Sidelines Leafs’ Auston Matthews Three Weeks

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On Friday the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that last year’s Hart and Rocket Richard award winner Auston Matthews will miss a minimum of three weeks with a knee sprain sustained in Wednesday’s OT win versus the Rangers.

In 47 games this year, Matthews is second on the team in goals with 25, and third on the team in both assists, with 28, and points at 53. The Leafs have three games remaining before a week long break for All-Star weekend. Matthews was voted in for the All-Star game for the 6th time in his young career, but will not be able to participate due to injury. Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov will be taking his spot after posting 13 goals and 30 assists over 40 games this season. Many believe that Matthews’ Leafs teammate William Nylander should have taken that spot over Barkov as Nylander leads the Leafs in goals and points at 26 and 57, respectively.

Toronto is currently tied for the second most points in the NHL, trailing only Boston in that regard. As Boston seems uncatchable, the Leafs are fighting for the two seed in the East. If Matthews returns after the initial 3-week timeframe, with help from the All-Star break would miss just six games and could return for their February 18th game vs Montreal. The Leafs play just two teams above .500 over their next six games, closing out the first half hosting the Capitals and the Bruins. They open the second half with two games against the Blue Jackets and then a game against the Blackhawks.

Toronto should be able to weather the storm without Matthews as they take on mostly subpar competition and have the luxury of a week long break to rest and help the team get healthy again.