P.Ok. Subban tells Pat McAfee that the Maple Leafs are in bother and would not be stunned to see the Bruins win in 5 video games. (1:05)
TORONTO — Auston Matthews<\/a>‘ standing is “but to be decided” for the Maple Leafs once they attempt to stave off elimination in Sport 5 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff sequence in opposition to Boston on Tuesday.
Matthews has been battling an sickness that he was capable of play by way of in Sport 3 and the primary two intervals of Sport 4 on Saturday. Toronto’s staff docs in the end 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 sequence.
Toronto’s prime middle didn’t follow with the staff Monday however was anticipated be on the journey to Boston. A call will likely be made sooner or later earlier than Sport 5 whether or not Matthews is wholesome sufficient to play.
“After all, we’re hopeful that he is obtainable and feeling good and again to himself,” coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned. “That is what we’re longing for. However we have performed properly with guys out prior to now. We began the sequence with out [William Nylander<\/a>] and needed to take care of that. However we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Matthews has one objective and three factors within the sequence, together with Toronto’s sport winner in Sport 2. The sickness has saved Matthews from being a full participant in all however one of many Leafs’ on-ice periods since then as they’ve tried to get him healed. Keefe mentioned Sunday that the problem is how this illness has “lingered” and turns into worse when Matthews exerts himself in a sport.
Provided that Matthews was unable to complete out Sport 4, Toronto practiced Monday as if he would not be within the lineup. Max Domi<\/a> took over Matthews’ spot centering the highest line with Mitch Marner<\/a> and Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a>, whereas Nylander moved as much as the second line with John Tavares<\/a> and Matthew Knies<\/a>. Domi additionally labored on the Leafs’ prime power-play unit at follow, a particular groups sore spot for Toronto within the sequence at simply 1-for-11.
Matthews is coming off an incredible common season the place he notched 69 targets and earned a 3rd Rocket Richard Trophy in 4 years because the league’s prime objective 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 mentioned. “You are speaking about among the finest gamers on the planet. However there’s large depth, expertise and character on this staff and it is an important alternative for all of us to step up, increase our sport, which is already wanted and obligatory.”
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 “straightforward choice” 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 sequence).
“[Domi’s] performed middle for us so much this season,” Keefe mentioned. “He is completed properly with Mitch, he is completed properly 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 various kinds of gamers.”
The Leafs’ coach was much less forthcoming about who can be between the pipes for Toronto in Sport 5. Ilya Samsonov<\/a> began all 4 video games, however Keefe pulled him in favor of Joseph Woll<\/a> for the third interval in Sport 4 after Samsonov gave up three targets on 16 photographs, together with a dagger from David Pastrnak<\/a> within the closing 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 burdened the significance of balancing the scales in opposition to Boston with higher netminding and particular groups than Toronto has confirmed within the sequence. The Bruins are 6-for-13 on the ability play and Jeremy Swayman<\/a> — who has began three of the 4 outings for Boston — has a .956 SV% and 1.34 GAA to go together with his 3-0-0 file. Linus Ullmark<\/a> began Sport 2 within the Bruins’ lone loss.
“They’ve had the sting in these areas within the sequence and that is powerful to beat. We bought to take steps there,” Keefe mentioned. “Getting extra saves at essential 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<\/a> or Danton Heinen<\/a>. Coach Jim Montgomery mentioned each gamers took upkeep days. Injured ahead Justin Brazeau<\/a> and defenseman Derek Forbort<\/a> are additionally “an possibility” for the Bruins in Sport 5 however Montgomery acknowledged some concern in presumably placing Forbort in halfway by way of a sequence after he’d been sidelined since March 2 with a pair of illnesses.<\/p>\n