Auston Matthews' upper-body injury keeps him out for five games (Source: Imagn)
Elliotte Friedman provided details about Auston Matthews' upper-body injury, which has kept him off the ice for the fifth straight game. Matthews hasn't skated since Saturday and missed Wednesday’s game against the Washington Capitals. His absence will stretch to six games, and it’s unclear if he will play on Saturday against the Oilers.
What stands out is Auston Matthews' secrecy about his injury. Friedman noted that Matthews is known for keeping his health details private. The Leafs, already cautious with injury information, follow Matthews’ lead in staying tight-lipped.
"Don’t think there is a player in the NHL more secretive about injury information than Auston Matthews. We didn’t find out about one of his wrist surgeries for a year. So, as guarded as the Maple Leafs can be, it will be even tighter because Matthews wants it that way," Friedman (via 32-thoughts).
