The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a very disappointing season, and it just got even worse. A new injury update on team captain Auston Matthews indicates that he will be out for twelve weeks.
The Maple Leafs are on their way to missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2015–2016 season. In the twelve games since the NHL resumed after the Olympic break, the Leafs have won only two.
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Auston Matthews injury
Sitting far from a playoff spot in the standings, the Maple Leafs also lost their captain, Auston Matthews, to an injury on March 12. Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quadriceps contusion in his left leg after a heavy hit from Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas. Gudas received a five-minute major penalty, a game misconduct, and a five-game suspension. He will be eligible to play again on March 25. For Matthews, however, the prognosis is far more serious.
Out for twelve weeks
On Thursday, Auston Matthews underwent surgery and is expected to be out for twelve weeks. The Leafs will have to play the remainder of the season without their captain, as expected. Matthews will, if everything goes as planned, be ready for next season’s training camp. He was the team’s leading goal scorer this season with 27 goals, the latest of which came in the same game in which he was injured.
Fans wish Matthews the best
Fans have since been sending their best wishes to Matthews on social media.
“Relieved to hear the surgery was successful! Wishing Papi a full and speedy recovery,” one fan wrote on X.
^“Wishing 34 a swift and uneventful recovery. Take care of yourself! We can’t wait to see you back in the fall,” another wrote.
“Get better, man. We all support you as captain, even if some people forget the pressure on you. You’ve been doing outstanding for our organization, and sometimes people forget how happy you’ve made our families coming to Toronto,” a third fan wrote.
You can read the Maple Leafs’ announcement below.
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