Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been ruled out of Thursday&#8217;s game against the New York Islanders, and spoke to reporters following Wednesday&#8217;s practice.
&#8220;It’s nice to still be around the guys a lot, being able to take part in practices, it’s big, especially when you&#8217;ve been out for a little bit. Just taking it day by day and feeling good, feeling better every single day. Going to continue to hope for the positive progression and go from there,&#8221; Matthews said.
Matthews said rest is helping with the injury, while trying to remain in top shape.
&#8220;Take it day by day and hopefully you just keep progressing and we&#8217;ll see where we&#8217;re at maybe later this week,&#8221; Matthews said, while noting that he hasn&#8217;t set a target date for his return.&#8221;
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube appeared cautiously optimistic and told reporters he checks in with Matthews regularly, while trying not to bother him too much about his injury.
&#8220;Competing in a full practice is progress and he&#8217;s going in the right direction, which is great. I know there&#8217;s no timeline and we&#8217;re all looking for one. It&#8217;s great having him out there,&#8221; Berube said.
&#8220;When he&#8217;s available, he&#8217;ll let us know.&#8221;
Matthews will miss his sixth consecutive game after aggravating an upper-body injury during a December 20 contest against the Buffalo Sabres. He participated in practices throughout the week in a grey jersey, and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to December 20 to afford an extra roster spot.
Berube also warned against jumping to preemptive conclusions about Matthews&#8217; injury status, with the focus on Thursday&#8217;s game.
Matthews has recorded 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games this season. Toronto has largely weathered the storm without Matthews this season and remain atop the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers. Matthews previously missed nine games in November and once he overcomes this injury, he immediately elevates the ceiling of a Maple Leafs team that is firmly in a win-now window.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the New York Islanders, and spoke to reporters following Wednesday's practice.

"It’s nice to still be around the guys a lot, being able to take part in practices, it’s big, especially when you've been out for a little bit. Just taking it day by day and feeling good, feeling better every single day. Going to continue to hope for the positive progression and go from there," Matthews said.

Matthews said rest is helping with the injury, while trying to remain in top shape.

"Take it day by day and hopefully you just keep progressing and we'll see where we're at maybe later this week," Matthews said, while noting that he hasn't set a target date for his return."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube appeared cautiously optimistic and told reporters he checks in with Matthews regularly, while trying not to bother him too much about his injury.

"Competing in a full practice is progress and he's going in the right direction, which is great. I know there's no timeline and we're all looking for one. It's great having him out there," Berube said.

"When he's available, he'll let us know."

Matthews will miss his sixth consecutive game after aggravating an upper-body injury during a December 20 contest against the Buffalo Sabres. He participated in practices throughout the week in a grey jersey, and was placed on injured reserve retroactive to December 20 to afford an extra roster spot.

Berube also warned against jumping to preemptive conclusions about Matthews' injury status, with the focus on Thursday's game.

Matthews has recorded 11 goals and 23 points in 24 games this season. Toronto has largely weathered the storm without Matthews this season and remain atop the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers. Matthews previously missed nine games in November and once he overcomes this injury, he immediately elevates the ceiling of a Maple Leafs team that is firmly in a win-now window.

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