Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has been battling an illness that has significantly impacted his participation in the NHL playoffs. Matthews missed practices and was unable to complete Game 4 against the Boston Bruins due to his health issues. Despite attempts to participate, including showing up for an optional skate, Matthews' condition did not improve, and he was pulled from the game following the second intermission on the advice of team doctors. His ongoing health concerns have left his status for the crucial Game 5 uncertain, as the team prepares for the possibility of playing without him. The Leafs are currently facing elimination, trailing the Bruins 3-1 in the series.
Five things the Bruins need to do to close out Maple Leafs in Game 5 https://t.co/z4FfztdLmu
GO TIME. 📺 @NESN, @espn 📻 @985TheSportsHub #NHLBruins https://t.co/UpUcLrj30T
This wind bag sucks @NHLBruins 🗣️🗣️🗣️ #Leafs
Leafs fans getting ready to watch Game 5: https://t.co/7e3TUKhHSr
Matthews not in lineup for Maple Leafs' must-win in Game 5 https://t.co/bekkMOvIlJ Via @koshtorontosun
#NHLBruins hit the ice for G5 - @wbz https://t.co/Rh5iGetd7A
F’em Frieds. He’s a no-show anyhow #Leafs #LeafsForever https://t.co/xh6Cp8VwhI https://t.co/7R2zN4cqXM
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews misses must-win Game 5 against Bruins https://t.co/sD19GBXcBp https://t.co/ngwjRPShhV
Well.. they were kinda close @NHLBruins 🤷♂️ https://t.co/LWuudROweM
Braz back in. https://t.co/roQMd5yYQ8
Scratch that. The lines that the #NHLBruins just sent out to the media have John Beecher in and Danton Heinen out. 👀 https://t.co/cgXUuUdFCn
Back between the pipes. #NHLBruins | @rapid7 https://t.co/5wDE0oC83N
The Leafs will be without their top goal scorer in Game 5 😬 Are you giving Toronto (+145) a shot to force Game 6 without Auston Matthews? 🍁 https://t.co/9H2aywmDEL
Are changes inevitable in Toronto? Hashtags: #nhl #hockey #playoffs #stanleycupplayoffs #stanleycup #toronto #mapleleafs #leafs #matthews #marner #nylander #boston #bruins https://t.co/xU00h7lrOB
David Pastrňák speaks with the panel ahead of Boston's Game 5 battle with Toronto. https://t.co/rHfU2ZQY1l
As expected - Swayman in net #NHLBruins lineup changes Grzelcyk in for Shattenkirk Brazeau in for Beecher @wbz https://t.co/4LAjmL4CSK
Joseph Woll will get the start for Toronto tonight in Game 5 🧱 Watch Leafs 🆚 Bruins at 7pm ET on Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+! 📺 https://t.co/ieDj8VBEBn
Justin Brazeau draws in for John Beecher. #NHLBruins #LeafsForever @BOSHockeyNow
"I don't believe that this is the illness anymore." @FriedgeHNIC and the panel discuss Auston Matthews' absence from Game 5. https://t.co/ebXsVtEyyy
Auston Matthews will not suit up for the Maple Leafs in Game 5 tonight as Toronto faces elimination. https://t.co/iztQrLugcT
No Auston Matthews in warmups for the #LeafsForever @BOSHockeyNow
Auston Matthews is OUT for Game 5 against the Bruins. 🤕 https://t.co/ofzrDYnbfA
Joseph Woll leads the #LeafsForever out for warmups. @BOSHockeyNow
No Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews won’t play for #Leafs in Game 5 vs. Boston: https://t.co/pwJIVoJC58
Auston Matthews is not on the ice.
No Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs.
No Auston Matthews in Game 5 for the Leafs. Joseph Woll starts in goal.
Auston Matthews is NOT on the ice for warmups at Game 5. Only missed one game all season.
Auston Matthews is not on the ice for warmup and the #Leafs forward will not play in Game 5 against the Bruins. https://t.co/zJUkTD6Ba2
No Auston Matthews tonight for the Maple Leafs. Team is saying illness, feels like something more significant to keep a star player out of a potential elimination game.
No Auston Matthews tonight for the Maple Leafs tonight. Team is saying illness, feels like something more significant to keep a star player out of a potential elimination game.
Five things the Bruins need to do to close out Maple Leafs in Game 5 https://t.co/UIeMlQjQFP
From @markhmasters - Matthews appears doubtful as Maple Leafs face elimination: https://t.co/o8MpolmPfw
Auston Matthews is "unlikely" to play in Game 5, per Chris Johnston and Jonas Seigel of @TheAthletic. The Leafs are +135 to win @SIASport 🍁 https://t.co/PsCnVKSvTC
Auston Matthews is unlikely to play tonight in Game 5, from @reporterchris @jonassiegel https://t.co/72VYuOaoHG
NEWS: Auston Matthews is unlikely to be available Tuesday as the Maple Leafs look to avoid elimination in Boston, sources tell @reporterchris and @jonassiegel. Matthews has been battling an illness and nursing an undisclosed injury, sources say. 🔗 https://t.co/UTMNk0iZH9
New, for @TheAthletic with @jonassiegel: While the #leafs haven't officially ruled Auston Matthews out of Game 5, he's unlikely to be healthy enough to play tonight with their season on the line. https://t.co/8DDNfOOVfN https://t.co/8DDNfOOVfN
ALL IN with @markhmasters - Auston Matthews was on the ice briefly before the Leafs' optional skate, but his status is still very much in the air. Meanwhile, Timothy Liljegren is expected to draw back in for T.J. Brodie in Game 5: https://t.co/GA21NlLsAp https://t.co/c2C1SivQhL
Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 5 odds, prediction: NHL Playoffs picks, bets https://t.co/XjmgVxCyBq https://t.co/AdT8TOQ3D7
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews briefly skates ahead of must-win Game 5 against Bruins https://t.co/4yRGhMXNkf https://t.co/nx6bgpruqi
Game 4 Notebook: Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is staying positive with his players, but Auston Matthews' status for Game 5 remains up in the air. @lukefoxjukebox has the story from Boston. https://t.co/32JTxAZdPp
"We'll see how the rest of the day goes." The latest on if #Leafs star Auston Matthews will be healthy enough to play tonight, including video from his brief skate today ⤵️📽️ https://t.co/zJUkTD6Ba2 https://t.co/zJUkTD6Ba2
The latest on Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs goalie situation ahead of crucial Game 5 against Bruins https://t.co/XYa61kKNuu
Matthews game-time decision for Maple Leafs in Game 5 of Eastern 1st Round ⤵️ https://t.co/MEuOqHyIGH
Sheldon Keefe says the Leafs are still hoping that Auston Matthews can play in Game 5: “No determination at this time.”
Joseph Woll will start Game 5 for the Maple Leafs https://t.co/EWznuWcssg
No determination yet on Auston Matthews’ status for Game 5. It’ll be the doctor’s call. Keefe declined to answer if there is something beyond just an illness hindering him.
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews is working on things to get himself ready to play. Says it will be the doctor’s call to see if he plays tonight. “We’ll see how the rest of the day goes.”
GAME DAY - Auston Matthews takes to the ice briefly in Boston before departing prior to start of the Leafs' optional skate: https://t.co/WOC1Zo7b8N https://t.co/KgnJkgSogl
Auston Matthews made a very brief appearance on the ice at Maple Leafs optional skate then left the ice. Strange.
Matthews on ice for a couple of minutes at beginning of #leafsforever morning skate, then heads to dressing room. Stay tuned.
Auston Matthews has departed the session. Was on the ice for a few minutes…
5 things Bruins need to do to close out Maple Leafs in Game 5 https://t.co/MQQJ6dlu2n
Auston Matthews is skating at TD Garden before Game 5. https://t.co/YF5bltm3KL
Auston Matthews is on the ice for the team’s optional skate this morning. https://t.co/zgGAYeZT2b
Auston Matthews is the first player on the ice for the Leafs morning skate. A good sign ahead of Game 5 tonight.
Matthews misses practice with illness, status unclear with Leafs facing elimination https://t.co/LDNKqGQzPJ
From @markhmasters - The latest on Auston Matthews' status for Game 5 as the Leafs look to avoid elimination: https://t.co/z1QX5QJW5o https://t.co/OCE9g6eOlt
"We'll see what tomorrow brings." Maple Leafs holding hope but making preparations to play must-win Game 5 without Auston Matthews: https://t.co/jRI9Dk90Z6 https://t.co/wNpYypO7uk
Auston Matthews missed one game this season. The Leafs won 7-0. Their plan to play without him — if necessary — in Game 5: https://t.co/MwtvOaOen4
Auston Matthews misses practice again. The Maple Leafs are preparing to play do-or-die Game 5 without him. The Toronto superstar was pulled from Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins with an undisclosed illness. https://t.co/1jeqa1nEF8
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews misses practice with illness, Game 5 status unclear https://t.co/WGAXVyht3F https://t.co/9PqApPG5BX
Sheldon Keefe, Maple Leafs 'hopeful' that Auston Matthews will play in Game 5, from @koshtorontosun https://t.co/Lg3TQ8UlGd https://t.co/GLGHv3Y2mg
Matthews remains questionable for #LeafsForever in Game 5 of Eastern 1st Round “There’s only one game on the schedule right now, so let’s keep the focus on that and earn the next one.” My @NHLdotcom story: https://t.co/ZEM5PmZZA3
Matthews remains questionable for Maple Leafs in Game 5 of Eastern 1st Round ⤵️ https://t.co/wwjSmppgPD
Auston Matthews misses practice again. The Maple Leafs are preparing to play do-or-die Game 5 without him https://t.co/LYLFIyuDk2
Sheldon Keefe: Auston Matthews' status for Game 5 'to be determined.' 👀 https://t.co/ufQhYhWcwd https://t.co/6az3W9uErS
"We'll see what tomorrow brings." #Leafs preparing for the possibility of not having Auston Matthews available for Game 5 ⤵️ https://t.co/bIncqudFQn https://t.co/bIncqudFQn
Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews' status for Game 5: “Of course we’re hopeful that he’s available and feeling good and back to himself. That’s what we’re hopeful for.”
Keefe: "Special teams and goaltending are two areas that we have to be better in. They're connected in lots of ways. They've had the edge in those areas in the series and that’s tough to overcome." #Leafs
Keefe on Matthews: "Of course, we're hopeful that he’s available and feeling good and back to himself. But we've played well with guys out in the past." #Leafs
Matthews will travel to Boston, though Sheldon Keefe said, “his status is yet to be determined.” @NHLdotcom https://t.co/AvK6tA6uRE
Keefe won’t confirm starting goalie for Game 5. Matthews status to be determined, will travel to Boston #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe said Auston Matthews will travel with the #Leafs to Boston but status for Game is yet to be determined: “We’re hopeful he’s available and feeling good and back to himself.” Keefe also declined to say who starts in net for Toronto
Sheldon Keefe says the Leafs are “hopeful” that Auston Matthews will be available to play in Game 5.
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews’ status for tomorrow is “yet to be determined”. He will travel with the club. “Hopeful” he feels better. “We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Auston Matthews absent from practice as Maple Leafs prepare for must-win Game 5. https://t.co/Lg3TQ8UlGd https://t.co/cY4oo78PIz
Matthews out for #Leafs practice, could miss do-or-die Game 5👀😬 https://t.co/oFY2NlGi5W
Leafs practice underway. No Matthews (illness)
No Auston Matthews at Leafs practice today.
Auston Matthews NOT at practice today. #LeafsForever @NHLdotcom
No Matthews for pre-practice drills #Leafs
Doesn’t look like Auston Matthews will practice today. #Leafs working on a PP1 drill on another pad with Domi on in place of him. https://t.co/qri8WohTBS
Maple Leafs giving Auston Matthews ’time that he needs’ to recover from illness. https://t.co/ZMdQzxR6xl https://t.co/n1s3K0iwAP
Matthews' status uncertain, Maple Leafs look to extend series in Game 5 ⤵️ https://t.co/DVnzUeCyHt
Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews: “For whatever reason, it’s not one of those everyday types of illnesses that sort of come and go. This one has lingered and the effects have lingered and gotten worse when he’s on the ice asserting himself.”
Sheldon Keefe explains Auston Matthews' illness that forced him to leave during game 4's loss to the Bruins. 👀 https://t.co/paUNtx9zOp
"It's gotten worse every time he gets out on the ice". Sheldon Keefe went into a bit more detail on Auston Matthews' lingering illness that forced him to leave Game 4 ⤵️ https://t.co/KBuErBz4e0 https://t.co/KBuErBz4e0
Sheldon Keefe re: Auston Matthews' health: Not much update there. Luckily, again, we've got a couple of days here and we thought the last couple of days would help us. It's whatever reason, it's not one of those run-of-the-mill, everyday- type of illnesses that sort of come and…
Sheldon Keefe re: Auston Matthews' health: Not much update there. Luckily, again, we've got a couple of days here and we thought the last couple of days would help us. It's whatever reason, it's not one of those run of the mill, everyda- type of illnesses that sort of come and…
Keefe on Matthews: "It’s not one of those run-of-the-mill illnesses that come & go. This one has lingered & has gotten worse when he’s getting on the ice and asserting himself. We've got to manage that and give him the time that he needs. We're hopeful that it will turn." #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe on the illness that forced Auston Matthews from Game 4: “This one has lingered. The effects have lingered and gotten worse when he gets on the ice and is asserting himself.” #Leafs
Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews: "For whatever reason, it's not one of those run-of-the-mill everyday type of illnesses that sort of come and go. This one has lingered. The affects have lingered and gotten worse when he gets on the ice and is asserting himself."
Sheldon Keefe didn’t have much update on Auston Matthews’ health. Said for whatever reason the illness is lingering and gets worse when Matthews is pushing himself in a game. #Leafs Hope extra recovery today helps him.
Keefe: "Nothing wrong with our effort level here tonight. Guys are competing. It's physical hockey. Guys are trying. It’s a good team over there that is limiting us. You can question a lot of things. You can't question the effort." #Leafs
"It's all related to the illness he's been dealing with." Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews not returning to the game after the 2nd intermission. https://t.co/d1sMAGdplh
"It all related to the illness he's been dealing with." Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews not returning to the game after the 2nd intermission. https://t.co/h4C7vQVXf5
Keefe on the Matthews departure: "It's all related to the illness he has been dealing with. He has been giving us everything he has and ultimately the doctors pulled him." #Leafs
Auston Matthews still dealing with illness that began after Game 2. Keefe says doctors pulled him from the game.
Keefe says Auston Matthews was pulled from the game by team doctors related to an illness.
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews was pulled by the doctor due to the illness he’s been dealing with
Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews being unable to finish Game 4 "is all related to illness."
Bruins defeat Maple Leafs in Game 4, on verge of winning series ⤵️ https://t.co/YwNed5LjsJ
The Bruins have taken a 3-1 series lead over the Leafs 🏒 Check out @NickGossNBCSB's key takeaways from Boston's Game 4 win ⤵ https://t.co/mX5IAVCrHd
Auston Matthews will not return to tonight's game. 😳 https://t.co/CwN6KPUDJt
Auston Matthews will not return to tonight's game, per Maple Leafs PR.
Auston Matthews will not return to the game, Leafs announce. No reason given.
Auston Matthews will not return for #Leafs tonight
Auston Matthews is out for the night.
Auston Matthews will not return to tonight's game, the #Leafs confirm.
Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews will not return to tonight’s game.
Auston Matthews not on the bench for third period.
No Matthews to start the third period #Leafs
Auston Matthews isn't on the #leafs bench.
Joseph Woll starts Period 3 for Maple Leafs.
Keefe on McMann: "We certainly miss him. In terms of an update, he's progressing well. We'll start to see him back on the ice here soon. In terms of his availability in this series, that is yet to be determined. I know he has been feeling a lot better." #Leafs
Auston Matthews and Ilya Lyubushkin are on the ice for the #Leafs optional skate this morning. Both missed yesterday’s practice. https://t.co/FvFy6HdS19
Auston Matthews taking part in Maple Leafs optional morning skate. Not typical for him, but he missed past two skates with illness.
Auston Matthews is on the ice for morning skate at Scotiabank after missing practice yesterday for the Maple Leafs.
Auston Matthews is the first player on the ice for the Leafs morning skate. He missed Friday’s practice for maintenance.
Auston Matthews is skating at Scotiabank Arena before Game 4. He's been battling an illness and missed practice yesterday.
Leafs notebook: Auston Matthews misses practice but should be ready for Game 5 https://t.co/fqDZtRkElU
Maple Leafs' Keefe: No matter his health, Auston Matthews has 'given us everything' https://t.co/1jVBzNVOZa https://t.co/Jsg4zIzjNL
Keefe on Matthews: "Things are OK. He needed another day today to help restore his energy and recharge. We’ll see where he's at tomorrow as well." #Leafs
Keefe on Nylander: "Looked great to me on the ice. In terms of his status, we’ll have to determine that tomorrow." #Leafs
Keefe said the Leafs will make a call on Nylander tomorrow (all signs point to yes). Daddy Lyubushkin is already en route back to Toronto from California and will be available to play. Pencil in Brodie for his series debut. Matthews getting his energy back after illness.
Flu game incoming? #Leafs star Matthews is fighting illness 😬 https://t.co/QbU8bVoKmD
Ilya Lyubushkin absent from today's #leafs practice after his wife gave birth to a baby girl back in California.
Ilya Lyubushkin (parental leave) and Auston Matthews (maintenance) will not practice today, per Leafs.
Auston Matthews won't participate in today's #Leafs practice for what the team is calling a maintenance day. He played through an illness on Wednesday night.
No Matthews (maintenance/off-ice work) or Lyubushkin (new baby) on the ice today for #Leafs practice
Auston Matthews will not be at practice due to maintenance. Ilya Lyubushkin also not here. Wife just had a baby child. #LeafsForever @NHLdotcom
Maple Leafs need to sustain momentum against Bruins in Game 4 ⤵️ https://t.co/RDTdixOaxB