The Christmas holidays will start early for Auston Matthews.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed the captain won’t play Monday afternoon’s matinee against the Winnipeg Jets as he continues to recover from the aggravation of whatever mystery upper-body injury has been plaguing him since early November.
“He’s going to rest over the break (the whole NHL shuts down from Tuesday until Thursday) and hopefully he comes back in a lot better shape,” Berube said Monday morning.
“There is a little bit of (improvement). He gets relief at times, but it’s not good enough. I have to wait and see how he responds here in the next few days.”
Matthews took a cross-check in the ribs on Friday in Buffalo that appeared to sting, as well as a couple of other hits, as opponents continually test what is suspected to be a back-related problem.
Monday was the 11th game this season he has been forced to miss, while trying many methods of playing through the injury — including a trip to see a specialist in Munich, Germany.
Berube has to move on without Matthews as he did in November. William Nylander, John Tavares and Mitch Marner are among those who’ve replaced the Rocket Richard Trophy winner’s offence.
The coach has other concerns, coming off a 6-3 loss to the Islanders and before that, a few wins that were closer than they needed to be.
“We’ve gotten away from our identity lately in my opinion, the checking side of things,” he said. “When we’re tight, we’re not giving much up. We’re a little bit loose.”
The Jets, leading their Central Division at present, are a major test. Joseph Woll will start in net for Toronto against American countryman Connor Hellebuyck.
Berube said he hopes the Leafs are better in front of him on Monday, very cross with them for making Woll’s life miserable on Saturday.
He and the Leafs also are dealing with an unusual start time for a home game.
“You come in earlier and get prepared like you normally do … it just happens quicker. You’re not waiting all day for a game.”
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