Forward Auston Matthews is expected to miss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ next two games while still dealing with an upper-body injury, head coach Craig Berube told reporters Friday.
Matthews did not participate in Friday’s practice session, as the Leafs returned from the holiday break, and Berube confirmed he would not play in the evening against the Detroit Red Wings. He added that he will likely be out Saturday as well, against the Washington Capitals.
Matthews has missed the last two games with the upper-body injury, the same medical issue that forced him to sit out last month and prompted him to travel to Germany for treatment. He missed nine games between November 3 and 30.
The 27-year-old last played a week ago against the Buffalo Sabres, but missed Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders and Monday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Matthews has 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games this season.
The Wild without their best player
The Minnesota Wild will have to make do without the services of Kirill Kaprizov on Friday night against the Dallas Stars.
The star forward did not travel with his teammates due to an upper body injury.
In 34 games this season, the 27-year-old Russian leads his team with 23 goals and 27 assists. He is fourth in NHL scoring with 50 points.
Canada
