Auston Matthews to miss second straight playoff game with Leafs facing elimination

By Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press on May 2, 2024.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (34) reacts after Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand scored an empty-net goal during third period action in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Matthews will miss the Maple Leafs' must-win Game 6 against the Boston Bruins.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO – Auston Matthews will miss the Maple Leafs’ must-win Game 6 against the Boston Bruins.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe said following today’s morning skate the star sniper would be unavailable with Toronto down 3-2 in its first-round playoff series.

Matthews was pulled from Game 4 with an illness and didn’t play in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime victory in Boston with the Leafs facing elimination.

The 26-year-old centre skated alongside forward Bobby McMann (lower-body injury) for about 30 minutes this morning before Toronto’s playing group took the ice.

The Leafs were also minus star winger William Nylander for the first three contests of the best-of-seven matchup.

Game 7, if necessary, would be Saturday in Boston.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2024.