Well past the NHL season’s halfway mark, it’s a safe bet most players in both the Team Canada and Team USA locker rooms ahead of Thursday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off finale are dealing with some manner of injury.
Regarding Team USA captain Auston Matthews, who traditionally dons the C in a Maple Leaf-crested jersey in Toronto, talk of his apparent injury and status for the championship game was making hockey headlines on Tuesday.
Just ahead of Monday’s contest against Sweden, Sportsnet’s Elliot Friedman was among the first to report the Arizona native was scratched and later reported it was due to what was dubbed “upper-body soreness.”
“There’s no concern with him missing the final on Thursday,” the broadcaster posted on X. “But they are being cautious tonight.”
Matthews, who has one assist in the two tournament games he’s played, took part in Monday’s morning skate and spoke to the media afterward, noting the tournament has been demanding.
“You see the level of play that’s been happening in all the games,” he said in Boston. “I mean, it’s been high intensity, high level, physical. I mean, it’s been playoff-like.”
Come Tuesday afternoon, Friedman quoted U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan as saying he “would anticipate Auston Matthews being available for the championship game.
The Leafs superstar has missed 15 regular season games, all of them due to an unidentified but recurring upper-body injury reportedly suffered during the pre-season. During a nine-day injured list residency in November, he went to Germany to consult with a specialist known to work with high-profile athletes. He had another six-game layoff in late December and early January.
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Meanwhile, back in Toronto where Matthews’ teammates were skating to stay fresh for the NHL season’s resumption on Saturday, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube told hockey writers he’s been hands-off but said GM Brad Treliving had been in touch with Team USA regarding the superstar’s status.
Asked about the injuries coming out of the tournament, Berube said it’s out of the Leafs’ hands, but “it’s concerning.”
“But that’s not for me to make those decisions,” he added.
Game time for the tourney’s highly-anticipated final at TD Garden in Boston is 7:30 p.m. EST.
