Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury, the team confirmed prior to warm-ups.
Matthews was previously considered a game-time decision, after sustaining the injury during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old went to the dressing room late in the second period after blocking a shot from Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and returned for the third period.
Toronto is already without William Nylander, Dakota Joshua and Chris Tanev for Tuesday’s game.
It’s a tough loss for the Maple Leafs, as Matthews previously missed five games this season due to injury. Matthews has recorded 15 goals and 27 points in 33 games, with a plus-four rating, posting four points in his past two games.
“Nylander is day-to-day still. He’s doing better but still day-to-day. Matthews will be a game-time decision. Tanev is lower-body, it’s not the same injury. He’s getting evaluated today so we’ll have a better timeline later today on him,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Tuesday morning.
Toronto adjusted its lines during Tuesday’s morning skate. Matthew Knies and Max Domi will be centred by John Tavares, Scott Laughton will be flanked by Matias Maccelli and Bobby McMann, Nicolas Roy centres the third line with Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson, while Steven Lorentz, Jacob Quillan and Calle Jarnkrok formed the fourth line.
Quillan was called up from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies prior to Tuesday’s game and participated in the morning skate.
“I love Quillan’s energy and his speed,” Berube said of Quillan on Saturday morning. “He’s a young kid, but he could come in and provide what we need, I think tonight and going forward. I think he’s getting close to being an NHL player and a full time one with his ability. I mean, it’s a good opportunity for him tonight.”
Quillan previously played two games for the Maple Leafs this season, but did not record a point. The 23-year-old recorded five goals and 23 point in 26 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this year.
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
Introducing Off The Roster—Toronto Sports, Unfiltered! Toronto sports fans, your new favourite conversation has arrived. Hosted by Cabbie Richards, Lindsay Dunn, and Dan Riccio, Off The Roster dives into the city’s legendary plays, brutal trades, OG jerseys, celebrity tweets, and everything in between. Raw, fun, and totally unfiltered, this is Toronto sports like you’ve never heard it before. Tune in live every weekday morning on the Nation Network YouTube channel, or catch episodes wherever you stream podcasts. Proudly brought to you by our founding partner, PROLINE. Off The Roster—the new sound in the 6ix.