Sheldon Keefe Shares Update On Why Austin Matthews Wasn't At Practice

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Hunter Bowman
March 28, 2024 (1:48 PM)

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Auston Matthews was noticeably absent from the Maple Leafs' morning skate ahead of their game against the Washington Capitals. Now, head coach Sheldon Keefe has given an update on his status.

According to Keefe, Matthews missed practice due to an illness.

«Sheldon Keefe says Auston Matthews is a game-time decision with an illness.»

Keefe mentioned that Matthews will be a game-time decision for the Leafs' matchup against the Capitals. Despite playing nearly 24 minutes against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, where he scored a goal in the 6-3 loss, Matthews has been on fire lately.

He's on a five-game point streak and has amassed an impressive 93 points this season, including 59 goals, earning him the title of the 2nd star of the week.

The first overall pick in 2016, Matthews is on the verge of surpassing his career-best goal record and is just 13 points away from his most productive season yet.

In addition to Matthews, defenseman Morgan Rielly also remained absent due to an upper-body injury.

Keefe provided an update on Rielly, stating,

"He remains day to day. We're hopeful he is going to bounce back. Once he gets through this day or two here, it's not going to be a lingering situation. It's not an injury that's going to be ongoing. Once he's past it, he's past it."

Source: Sheldon Keefe reveals why Matthews was absent from practice