Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews unsure for Recreation 5 vs. Bruins – ESPN

P.Okay. Subban tells Pat McAfee that the Maple Leafs are in hassle and would not be shocked to see the Bruins win in 5 video games. (1:05)
TORONTO — Auston Matthews‘ standing is “but to be decided” for the Maple Leafs once they attempt to stave off elimination in Recreation 5 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff collection towards Boston on Tuesday.
Matthews has been battling an sickness that he was capable of play by way of in Recreation 3 and the primary two durations of Recreation 4 on Saturday. Toronto’s staff docs finally pulled Matthews from the third interval of Saturday’s 4-2 Leafs’ loss, which put the Leafs down 3-1 within the best-of-seven collection.
Toronto’s high heart didn’t apply with the staff Monday however was anticipated be on the journey to Boston. A call can be made sooner or later earlier than Recreation 5 whether or not Matthews is wholesome sufficient to play.
“After all, we’re hopeful that he is accessible and feeling good and again to himself,” coach Sheldon Keefe stated. “That is what we’re looking forward to. However we have performed effectively with guys out up to now. We began the collection with out [William Nylander] and needed to take care of that. However we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Matthews has one purpose and three factors within the collection, together with Toronto’s recreation winner in Recreation 2. The sickness has saved Matthews from being a full participant in all however one of many Leafs’ on-ice classes since then as they’ve tried to get him healed. Keefe stated Sunday that the problem is how this illness has “lingered” and turns into worse when Matthews exerts himself in a recreation.
Provided that Matthews was unable to complete out Recreation 4, Toronto practiced Monday as if he would not be within the lineup. Max Domi took over Matthews’ spot centering the highest line with Mitch Marner and Tyler Bertuzzi, whereas Nylander moved as much as the second line with John Tavares and Matthew Knies. Domi additionally labored on the Leafs’ high power-play unit at apply, a particular groups sore spot for Toronto within the collection at simply 1-for-11.
Matthews is coming off an amazing common season the place he notched 69 objectives and earned a 3rd Rocket Richard Trophy in 4 years because the league’s high purpose scorer. Although his postseason manufacturing has slowed, his absence would create a void and teammates are resigned to forging forward with out him if wanted.
“It is not ultimate to be with out Auston Matthews,” Tavares stated. “You are speaking about probably the greatest gamers on the earth. However there’s super depth, expertise and character on this staff and it is a terrific alternative for all of us to step up, increase our recreation, which is already wanted and mandatory.”
Keefe slotted Domi onto the highest line when Matthews exited Saturday and the third interval was the Leafs’ better of the evening (though they already trailed Boston 3-0 going into that body). It was an “simple determination” for Keefe to place Domi again there and permit the veteran to attempt to ignite extra offense from linemate Marner (who has simply assists within the collection).
“[Domi’s] performed heart for us quite a bit this season,” Keefe stated. “He is completed effectively with Mitch, he is completed effectively after we’ve had guys out, whether or not it was Auston or John, once they’ve been out Max has performed in that spot and he is completed a pleasant job for us. He is a really versatile man, he can do various things and play totally different positions and with several types of gamers.”
The Leafs’ coach was much less forthcoming about who could be between the pipes for Toronto in Recreation 5. Ilya Samsonov began all 4 video games, however Keefe pulled him in favor of Joseph Woll for the third interval in Recreation 4 after Samsonov gave up three objectives on 16 photographs, together with a dagger from David Pastrnak within the remaining minute of the second. Woll made 5 saves in reduction of Samsonov.
“We’ll discover out tomorrow,” Keefe’s responded when requested who would get the decision in web. However he additionally harassed the significance of balancing the scales towards Boston with higher netminding and particular groups than Toronto has confirmed within the collection. The Bruins are 6-for-13 on the facility play and Jeremy Swayman — who has began three of the 4 outings for Boston — has a .956 SV% and 1.34 GAA to go along with his 3-0-0 file. Linus Ullmark began Recreation 2 within the Bruins’ lone loss.
“They’ve had the sting in these areas within the collection and that is powerful to beat. We received to take steps there,” Keefe stated. “Getting extra saves at important instances is an enormous a part of that. They’re clearly getting heaps on the different finish.”
Boston additionally practiced Monday, however with out captain Brad Marchand or Danton Heinen. Coach Jim Montgomery stated each gamers took upkeep days. Injured ahead Justin Brazeau and defenseman Derek Forbort are additionally “an possibility” for the Bruins in Recreation 5 however Montgomery acknowledged some concern in presumably placing Forbort in halfway by way of a collection after he’d been sidelined since March 2 with a pair of illnesses.

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