The Toronto Maple Leafs will face off against the Boston Bruins tonight in the first game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Leafs have staged a significant comeback, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to even the series with two straight wins. However, their hopes of completing the comeback in Boston could be impacted by the uncertain status of forward Auston Matthews, whose health remains a major concern ahead of the decisive game.
According to an NHL report yesterday afternoon, Matthews has been improving, but it’s still unclear if he’ll be able to play. He sat out games five and six, which the Maple Leafs managed to win. However, it looks like the team might have to face another crucial game without him.
Matthews has one goal and two assists for three points through the four games in the series he played, and he led the NHL in goals during the regular season with 69. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe commented on Matthews’ availability stating “Yeah, there’s been progress, he skated again here today, but no determination on his availability.”
According to The Hockey Writers’ Substack for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matthews was removed by doctors from Game 4 after the second period. Although no player wants to be benched during a high-stakes postseason game, the Maple Leafs’ solid performance in his absence has been a welcome surprise. Regardless of whether Matthews returns tonight, the game promises to be exciting, as both teams will be playing with a sense of urgency.
