TORONTO — Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews He missed practice on Thursday and his status for the team’s next two games is uncertain.

The star center, who is injured in his upper body every day, also took the field in the 4-0 victory played on Tuesday. Boston Bruins.

Head coach Craig Berube has not decided whether Matthews will be on the roster for Toronto’s upcoming home games – Friday Detroit Red Wings and Saturday against Montreal Canadians — when asked by reporters after Thursday’s skate if he was available.

Matthews, who has suffered from shoulder and wrist problems in the past, scored 5 goals and collected 11 points in 13 matches this season. He last saw action on Sunday, when he picked up an assist and played more than 22 minutes in a 2-1 overtime loss on the road. Minnesota Wild.

Berube, who added on Thursday that Matthews was sidelined completely, said earlier this week that his best player is not currently dealing with an ankle issue. The three-time Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy winner led the NHL with 69 goals in 2023-24; this was the most goals in a single season in over three decades.

Selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 draft, Matthews scored 660 points with 373 goals and 287 assists in 575 regular season games throughout his career. The 27-year-old player, who won the Hart Trophy as the league MVP, added 48 points (23 goals, 25 assists) in 55 playoff games.

leaves forward Max Domi Centered the top line with Mitch Marner Matthew Knies On Tuesday, Toronto improved to a staggering 36-19-2 all-time mark in the regular season, excluding Matthews.

The club also defeated the Bruins twice last spring without its star sharpshooter, including a seven-game loss in the first round of the playoffs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.