The Maple Leafs had some last-minute roster shuffling to do before saying goodbye to 2024.
Hours before their New Year’s Eve afternoon game against the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena, the Leafs placed captain Auston Matthews on injured reserve and recalled defenceman Marshall Rifai from the Toronto Marlies.
The move of Matthews, who continues to work his way back from an upper-body injury, to IR is retroactive to Dec. 20. Matthews has had no setbacks, a member of the Leafs’ media relations department said, and he remains eligible to play on Thursday when the Leafs and Isles meet again on Long Island. The move was made as the Leafs needed the roster space with defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and centre Pontus Holmberg unavailable on Tuesday because they are sick.
In his morning availability, Leafs coach Craig Berube said Connor Dewar will centre the fourth line. David Kampf will move up to play between Matthew Knies and William Nylander, as he did on Monday at practice.
The game on Tuesday was the fifth in row that Matthews missed.
“He skated yesterday, had a good skate,” Berube said. “I was glad he was out there in practice. “We’ll see how he is progressing tomorrow and see if he’s out there in practice again.”
With Ekman-Larsson and Holmberg sick, is Berube concerned that illness could start spreading through the room?
“I’m not going to worry about that,” Berube said. “If it happens, it happens. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m just focused on the game, who is playing and how we need to get two points.”
The Leafs have lost three of their past four games.
The Islanders have won just three of their past eight, but one of those victories was a 6-3 decision in Toronto on Dec. 21.
“They came in here last time and beat us, so we have to be ready to go,” Berube said. “It’s going to be a tough game. They’re not going to give you anything free. They’ve always been a stingy defensive team. I expect the same.”
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