Matthews' Nagging Injury Continues, But Leafs Fans Need Not Fret, He'll Still Contribute Meaningful Minutes

Night-in and night-out, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews is the focal point of the opposition’s defense. That means the 27-year-old is constantly paying a tremendous physical price – and on Friday, Leafs coach Craig Berube revealed Matthews is dealing with a nagging injury that’s hampering his ability to play his best.

Matthews was already dealing with a major upper-body injury that sidelined him for nine games from Nov. 3 through Nov. 29. The Leafs did well in his absence, going 7-2-0 in the games Matthews missed. And since he returned on Nov. 30, Matthews has produced solid amounts of offense, generating five goals and 11 points in 10 games – numbers that many NHL players would be overjoyed to put up. But, we know Matthews’ expectations are higher than a point-per-game pace.

To wit: last season, when he was fully healthy, Matthews was a beast in the goals and points departments, posting 69 goals and 107 points – both personal bests – in 81 games for Toronto. And in 2021-22, Matthews amassed 60 goals and 106 points in 73 games. But, in 2022-23, Matthews’ individual numbers dropped to 40 goals and 85 points in 74 games. Again, many, if not most NHLers would be thrilled with those kinds of totals, but Matthews has set the bar much higher than just being a point-per-game player. When fully healthy, he’s going to score at least 50 goals and 100 points. That’s probably a minimum for him at this stage of his career.

It’s admirable – and it speaks to Matthews’ competitiveness – that he’s trying to work through this continuing injury. The Leafs’ high-end depth can cover for Matthews if he decides to sit out and take his time to get to 100 percent healthy status. But Matthews is doing his utmost to stay in the lineup, knowing Toronto would benefit from him playing at or close to full strength. And as the Leafs battle to stay at or near the top of the Atlantic Division, Matthews is doing what he can to contribute meaningful minutes to the Buds.

Matthews’ above-average 200-foot game is one of the reasons the Leafs need him to stay in the lineup, even if he’s not doing what he can do when he’s fully healthy. The ripple effect of not having Matthews in the lineup would put all sorts of pressure on the rest of Toronto’s players, and so if Matthews can contribute at a point-per-game pace right now, the Leafs will take it. They know Matthews is still their best player, but him being a constant target can often result in serious injuries. If that’s what Matthews is dealing with now, he deserves kudos for finding ways to help the team, even at a time when he knows he can’t be at his peak.

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Matthews remains one of the NHL’s very best players. But most, if not all NHLers eventually have to deal with the injury bug. Matthews has felt that bug’s bite before, and now he’s battling with another physical problem that may linger and continue to haunt him the rest of the way this season. But, the Leafs trust that Matthews knows his body, and Toronto will be more than happy to have him in the lineup, even if he’s not quite himself.

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