The Toronto Maple Leafs have been skating through the early weeks of the NHL season without their star forward and captain, Auston Matthews. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since November 3rd with an undisclosed upper-body injury that has proven more stubborn than initially anticipated. As the Leafs continue to surge in his absence, climbing to the top of the league standings, questions linger about when Matthews might return to the lineup.
Matthews’ Recovery Remains a “Holding Pattern”
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube provided an update on Matthews’ status Monday, confirming that the star center will miss at least another week. “He isn’t getting worse, so that’s a good thing,” Berube noted, adding, “It takes time, it’s taking long. It is what it is.” The coach emphasized that Matthews is doing what’s necessary to recover and rejoin the team, but a definitive timeline remains elusive.
Matthews initially sustained the injury during the preseason and has been in and out of practices since early November. He hasn’t taken the ice in several days, though Berube stopped short of characterizing it as a setback. The earliest possible return date for the Leafs’ leading scorer is Sunday’s matchup against the Utah Red Wings.
Leafs Thriving Despite Matthews’ Absence
While losing a player of Matthews’ caliber would spell disaster for most clubs, the Maple Leafs have managed to not just stay afloat, but thrive. Over the past two weeks, Toronto has posted a league-best 5-1-0 record, showcasing their depth and resilience. Veterans like John Tavares and Mitch Marner have stepped up to fill the offensive void:
- Tavares has notched 4 goals and 6 points in 6 games as the top-line center
- Marner leads the team with 4 goals and 10 points over that span
- Rookie winger Bobby McMann has chipped in 3 timely goals
Our team needs to push on without him right now.
Coach Craig Berube on the Leafs playing without Matthews
Jarnkrok Undergoes Surgery, Out Indefinitely
As if Matthews’ murky status wasn’t concerning enough, the Leafs announced Monday that center Calle Jarnkrok had undergone surgery for a groin and sports hernia issue. The nagging injury had hampered Jarnkrok since training camp. He’s expected to miss significant time, further testing Toronto’s forward depth. “He’s got to get it fixed and he will be out a while,” Berube said. “It’s too bad because he’s a player that we liked and can help us but really hasn’t had that opportunity to do that.”
Leafs Atop NHL Standings Despite Injury Woes
Even without their top two centers, the Maple Leafs find themselves looking down at the rest of the NHL one month into the season. Their .833 winning percentage since November 1st is tops in the league. While teams like the Capitals and Oilers have sputtered out of the gate, Toronto has found ways to collect points and build an early cushion in the hypercompetitive Atlantic Division.
The challenge now becomes sustaining that momentum until Matthews is cleared to return. The Leafs’ depth, which was bolstered by savvy offseason additions, is being put to the ultimate test. Secondary scorers are rising to the occasion, the defensive structure is holding steady, and goaltending has been razor-sharp. If Toronto can continue to weather this storm, they could emerge as a juggernaut when their stars are back to full health.
The Road Ahead for Toronto
With Matthews out until at least next Sunday and Jarnkrok sidelined indefinitely following surgery, the Maple Leafs’ depth will continue to be stretched. Upcoming matchups include a Wednesday night tilt against the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights and a Saturday showdown with the rising Dallas Dazzle. Grinding out points in a tough November schedule could pay dividends come April.
For now, all eyes in Leafs Nation remain fixed on the status of their franchise player. The team has proven they can win without Matthews in the short term, but aspirations of a deep playoff run hinge on his healthy return. As the captain works his way back, his teammates are making sure he has a view from the top of the standings when he’s ready to rejoin them.
