Matthews scored a power-play goal Saturday in a 4-2 loss to Detroit.
Matthews has 50 goals in 2024, and it's been four straight calendar years with at least 50 for the Toronto captain. He is the ninth player to accomplish the feat, and the record, shared by Wayne Gretzky (1981-87) and Mike Bossy (1978-84), is seven consecutive years. Matthews has nine points (five goals, four assists) and 33 shots in eight games since returning from an upper-body injury. It's only a matter of time before he goes on a tear.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: First game-winner of season
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Matthews scored the game-winning goal Tuesday in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Devils.
Matthews has 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists) in 20 career games against the Devils. He raced in on a breakaway 2:51 into overtime and lifted the puck over Jacob Markstrom for his first game-winning goal of the season. Matthews has 19 points, including 10 goals, and 23 shots in 19 outings. He has eight points (four goals, four assists) in six appearances since his return from injury.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Assists on both goals in loss
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Matthews registered two assists, four shots on net, five blocked shots, two PIM and a minus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins.
Matthews has three multi-point efforts over five outings since he returned from an upper-body injury. The center's helper on a William Nylander tally in the second period was his first power-play point since his return. Matthews is up to 18 points (five on the power play), 74 shots, 30 blocks and a plus-2 rating through 18 appearances this season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Lights lamp twice against Preds
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Matthews scored two goals on a game-high seven shots on net while adding four blocked shots in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Nashville.
The Leafs couldn't solve Juuse Saros over the first two periods, but Matthews finally woke his team up by banging home a one-timer from in close just 31 seconds into the final frame. The 27-year-old then struck again less than two minutes later, deking both Gustav Nyquist and Saros out of their skates to give Toronto its first lead of the game. It was Matthews' first multi-goal performance of 2024-25, and through 16 appearances he's racked up eight goals and 16 points -- including three goals and five points in three contests since returning from an upper-body injury.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Scores first goal since return
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Matthews scored a goal on three shots and added three hits, two PIM, one blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-1 win over Chicago.
The 27-year-old superstar opened the scoring late in the first period, converting a slick feed from William Nylander that left Matthews all alone in front of Arvid Soderblom. It was Matthews' first goal, and third point, in two appearances since returning from a nine-game absence due to an upper-body injury. He has six goals and 14 points in 15 contests on the season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Two assists in return from injury
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Matthews had two assists Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Lightning.
He won 16 of 24 faceoffs and had two shots in 20:23 of ice time after missing nine games because of an upper-body injury. Matthews has five goals and 13 points through 14 appearances this season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Returning to action Saturday
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Matthews (upper body) will return to the lineup Saturday in Tampa Bay, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Matthews was a full participant at practice Friday, between Matthew Knies and William Nylander, as well as playing on the first power play. Matthews has missed the last nine games with the injury. He has five goals and six assists in 13 games this season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Not yet ready to return
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Matthews (upper body) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Panthers, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reports.
Matthews remains on injured reserve due to his upper-body injury, but he resumed skating Saturday and participated in Tuesday's practice session. However, he'll be unavailable for a ninth consecutive game Wednesday, as he still needs to skate a few more times before he's cleared for game action. The 27-year-old will be in the mix to return Saturday against the Lightning, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to do so.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Practices Tuesday, nearing return
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Matthews (upper body) practiced Tuesday and could return to the lineup soon, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Matthews centered a line between William Nylander and Pontus Holmberg during Tuesday's session. The 27-year-old Matthews has missed the last eight games. Still, it's unclear if he will return to the lineup Wednesday against Florida. According to Nick Barden of The Hockey News, Matthews will evaluate how he feels following Tuesday's practice before making any decisions.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Skates ahead of practice
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Matthews (upper body) skated before Saturday's practice, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Matthews had not been seen skating since Nov. 10, making this an encouraging development. He left before Saturday's practice started, which probably means he won't play in Sunday's tilt against Utah. Still, Matthews could suit up in Wednesday's matchup versus Florida. He has missed the last seven games. Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 contests this campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Hoping to play soon
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Matthews (upper body) traveled to Germany to see a specialist and is hoping to play either in Sunday's matchup with Utah or in a Nov. 27 clash with the Panthers, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Matthews will miss his seventh game in a row when the Leafs take on the Knights on Wednesday but seems to be trending in the right direction. In 13 appearances this year, the 27-year-old center has notched five goals and six helpers, including four power-play points, in 13 outings. With David Kampf (lower body) and Calle Jarnkrok (groin) also on IR, the team will be forced to deploy youngster Fraser Minten in a middle-six role against Vegas.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Remains unavailable
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Matthews (upper body) won't play Wednesday against Vegas, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Matthews will miss his seventh straight game, and he hasn't been skating. Still, head coach Craig Berube insisted during Monday's media availability that the star center isn't getting worse while remaining in a holding pattern for his recovery. Matthews has compiled five goals, 11 points, 56 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and six hits in 13 appearances this season. His next chance to return comes Sunday against Utah. John Tavares and Max Domi have been serving as Toronto's top two centers during Matthews' absence.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Won't play versus Edmonton
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Matthews (upper body) will not be in the lineup against the Oilers on Saturday, Darren Dreger of TSN reports.
Matthews will miss his sixth straight contest as he continues to be hampered by an upper-body issue. The Leafs have soldiered on in his absence, going 4-1-0 without their world-class center. Max Domi has been slotting into the first-line center role without Matthews in the lineup but could drop back down to the third line or shift to wing when Matthews returns.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Not skating
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Matthews (upper body) has not skated since the weekend and remains in Toronto, meaning he'll miss Wednesday's game against the Capitals, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports.
Matthews was last reported on the ice Saturday, so he does not appear to be trending in the right direction. His absence will reach five games Wednesday, and at this point, he's questionable at best to play Saturday versus the Oilers. The Maple Leafs have just five games over the next 15 days, so there should be plenty of chances for him to get into a full practice ahead of his eventual return.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Doubtful for Tuesday
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Matthews (upper body) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Ottawa, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Matthews has missed the last three games and didn't participate in Monday's practice. He has amassed five goals, 11 points, 56 shots on net and 19 blocked shots through 13 outings this season. With Max Pacioretty (lower body) joining Matthews on the injured reserve list, Connor Dewar could make his season debut versus the Senators on Tuesday.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Skating Saturday
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Matthews (upper body) is skating for the first time this week at practice Saturday, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.
Matthews is on injured reserve and will not be eligible to play Saturday versus Montreal, but this bodes well for Tuesday's tilt at home against Ottawa. The 27-year-old superstar has five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Placed on injured reserve
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Matthews (upper body) was put on injured reserve Friday, retroactive to last Sunday.
Matthews was already ruled out for Friday's game against Detroit, but this move also makes him ineligible for Saturday's tilt versus Montreal. The good news is that there hasn't been any setback in his recovery, and his placement on injured reserve is instead for roster management, allowing Toronto to activate Connor Dewar from LTIR in a corresponding move, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic. With that in mind, the door might still be open for Matthews to be activated in time to play Ottawa on Tuesday. The 27-year-od has five goals and 11 points in 13 appearances in 2024-25. Max Domi, Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner are projected to compromise the first line during Matthews' absence. Once the Leafs' star center is healthy, Domi might shift off the first unit.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Not playing Friday
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Coach Craig Berube said that Matthews (upper body) would not be available for Friday's home game versus Detroit. according to David Alter of The Hockey News.
Matthews has been unable to practice the last two days, so it's no surprise that he won't be in the lineup Friday. He has to be considered doubtful for Saturday's game against Montreal. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner has only five goals in 13 games this season.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Not at optional skate Friday
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Matthews (upper body) was unavailable for Friday's optional skate, according to Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun.
Matthews missed Tuesday's game versus Boston and has not practiced since then, putting his status for Friday's game versus Detroit in serious doubt. Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season, as the superstar center has gotten off to a slow start.
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Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews: Not at practice Thursday
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Matthews (upper body) was a non-participant at practice Thursday, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reports.
Matthews missed Tuesday's game against Boston and should be considered questionable at best for Friday's game against Detroit, as well as Saturday's tilt at home versus Montreal. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, Matthews is off to a slow start with only five goals and 11 points in 13 appearances this season.
