Injury Report: Matthews day to day

[Suntouchable13]

I don't understand this mentality. Nobody, even the ones suggesting he's FUBAR'd, think Matthews won't play in Game 1. That is completely different than not being the player he normally is because of whatever this current injury is.

It should be no comfort Matthews is back for Game 1, if he's significantly impacted by whatever this injury is. That is where the concern lies for me and I think many others. Never forget the Hyman situation. Sure, Zach was there playing and everyone felt good that he was, but he was compromised with a torn ACL. We had no clue on Zach's injury. We do have a clue on Matthews, in that, we know that he is injured.

Ok, fair point. Now you got me legit concerned, lol.

 

[Apotheosis]

It’s still a little early for the 60 goal worry.

Nah, I honestly don't trust the Leafs. They had him play nearly an entire season with a messed up wrist and they're being cryptic about this injury too instead of being upfront.

 

[riffle]

And so what is the point of telling everyone that AM is fine when he's really got a serious injury? If Leafs brass are doing this (which I don't believe for a second), what's their end game?

Good question.

Could be any of a number of things.

Keefe just described the team as "focused and confident". What do you think happens to the focus if all of a sudden it comes out their top guy is not going to be himself for the playoffs? What will the media do with that? It will be all about that. The focus will go all on Auston and his injury status. Every player interviewed will be asked about it. As of now, nobody is asking players question after question about it because the media is buying the line that it is minor. If they thought otherwise, the focus is going full Auston more than it ever did when he was chasing 60, or Vaive's record. Team doesn't want or need that.

It also is to protect Auston. Never seen a team be so evasive about an injury before. Not sure of the rules in the NHL, but in NFL you can't play a player and not disclose his injury. Leafs do not want to disclose where his injury is. This may be why they're keeping him out. Can't roll him back out until they can actually not have to say something because he's no longer actually injured. I hope that makes sense. If he played tonight, I believe they would have to report what is wrong with him and they're going to great lengths not to do that.

 

[Avilaj07]

I personally believe that Matthews might be going through your usual aches and pains and they're just letting him rest up to be 100% for the playoffs, while at the same time, giving Tavares and Nylander a chance to step up and find their game. It's really a win win if you ask me.

 

[saffronleaf]

And so what is the point of telling everyone that AM is fine when he's really got a serious injury? If Leafs brass are doing this (which I don't believe for a second), what's their end game?

I can understand why teams adopt a general policy of being ambiguous or cagey about injuries. It can provide a competitive advantage. But that doesn't mean fans should fall for it every time.

 

[saffronleaf]

I personally believe that Matthews might be going through your usual aches and pains and they're just letting him rest up to be 100% for the playoffs, while at the same time, giving Tavares and Nylander a chance to step up and find their game. It's really a win win if you ask me.

he's such a competitor and he's on track for the hart and rocket. it just doesn't seem like the thing he'd want. this is the same matthews that didn't look too happy with babcock playing him 18 mins and plays a ton of minutes every game. he celebrates every goal. he enjoys hockey.

idk, imagine pulling ovi when he was one of his many historic runs for load management. ovi wouldn't let that happen i don't think.

 

[Confucius]

Off at least 3 games and counting now, yep sounds minor to me.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

he's such a competitor and he's on track for the hart and rocket. it just doesn't seem like the thing he'd want. this is the same matthews that didn't look too happy with babcock playing him 18 mins and plays a ton of minutes every game. he celebrates every goal. he enjoys hockey.

idk, imagine pulling ovi when he was one of his many historic runs for load management. ovi wouldn't let that happen i don't think.

Yeah, Stamkos talked a bit about how when he was chasing 60 goals, he really didn't want to end up with 59. These are elite competitors you're talking about, and there's no way Matthews would be passing up a chance at 60+ goals and the Hart trophy. He was on the cusp of all time great season.

Personally, I think it would be better for Matthews to finish the season on a dominant run and achieve all his goals and head into the playoffs with all the confidence in the world, rather than limp to the finish line with a mystery injury and have to try to rediscover his form with just a handful of games left

 

[authentic]

It’s just extremely disappointing and frustrating. The man was on a roll, well on his way to an MVP season, and once again he gets hurt somehow. Like Christ it was minor enough that no one noticed or can even pinpoint when it happened but it’s serious enough to keep him out for 3 games? One of which has major standings implications?

f*** off. I don’t care that the Leafs are being cryptic about it but I’m not going to sit here and act like everything is fine. If things were fine he’d be playing. Sitting him out for rest should only happen in like the last two games of the season, not with two weeks left.

Is it not possible that he actually has a minor injury though ?

 

[authentic]

I will say though if he isn’t healthy again for the playoffs this will be the 3rd season in a row this will have happened and I just pray that won’t be the case.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

And so what is the point of telling everyone that AM is fine when he's really got a serious injury? If Leafs brass are doing this (which I don't believe for a second), what's their end game?

Driving up the price of playoff tickets.

 

[GrizzLeaf]

I'm ok with them not disclosing thr nature of his injury. That would just provide info for players to target on Matthews.

Someone like Marchand would have a grand 'ole time targeting whatever injured body part Matthews has.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Just say the interview with Keefe. He st..st...stammered the whole way through the Matthews question.

He's lying.

 

[Stephen]

I personally believe that Matthews might be going through your usual aches and pains and they're just letting him rest up to be 100% for the playoffs, while at the same time, giving Tavares and Nylander a chance to step up and find their game. It's really a win win if you ask me.

Typically matthews is a player who fights through things. Remember when he jammed up his wrist and dealt with soreness but played the full year and tried rehabbing in the summer before he got the surgery. His history would suggest he isn’t a casual load management guy.

 

[Stephen]

Just say the interview with Keefe. He st..st...stammered the whole way through the Matthews question.

He's lying.

Given the importance of the Rocket race, the Hart implication and the 58 to 60 goal run, fighting for home ice etc. I don’t think this is resting Matthews or a nothing burger. I think more likely he’s out for the regular season and they’re just hoping and praying he’s ready for game 1.

 

[leafsfan5]

Typically matthews is a player who fights through things. Remember when he jammed up his wrist and dealt with soreness but played the full year and tried rehabbing in the summer before he got the surgery. His history would suggest he isn’t a casual load management guy.

Exactly, he's a competitive guy who is close to a historical feat accomplished by 2 players since the lockout. I don't think he would sit out unless something is really bothering him

 

[Confucius]

Is it not possible that he actually has a minor injury though ?

I would think missing practice or even a single game could be a minor injury. Its not a strained muscle, I'd bet on that.

 

[saffronleaf]

Just say the interview with Keefe. He st..st...stammered the whole way through the Matthews question.

He's lying.

read this great malcolm gladwell book, talking to strangers. tl;dr we're really bad at judging whether people are telling the truth or not by simply observing them. like as good as randomly guessing. studies show this.

my reason for being skeptical is the fact that the leafs have pulled this shit before and frankly from their end it makes sense for them to do it.

 

[34]

Missing his 3rd straight game, but its only a “minor“ bump and bruise.

Right……. sure Don’t add up, does it. Must be something serious.

 

[Brown Dog]

I don't really believe in God, but I'm starting to think maybe there is a God and he f#*king hates us.

 

[riffle]

I love the Mark Masters interview right before faceoff. No questions about Matthews. Guessing that was a directive from Leafs PR.

Matthews scored a hatty last trip in here and he's not here. Kind of a different game without him...and no question asked? C'mon, man.

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

I'm not a Toronto fan so maybe I'm reading the situation wrong, but it seems like they're doing the right thing giving him the rest he needs to get healthy before the playoffs. They're pretty well locked in to the 2nd seed so nothing really for the team to gain other than individual accomplishment.

No doubt if this were Edmonton they'd be playing their guys hurt trying to chase individual trophies, but that's the difference between organizations that are playing for team vs individual success. Seems like Toronto has their priorities straight.

That said, hope Matthews gets a chance to get to 60. It would be a deserving finish for the great season he's having.

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't really believe in God, but I'm starting to think maybe there is a God and he f#*king hates us.

I believe in God and He's probably punishing the Leafs for talk like that.

 

[rdogg]

I don't really believe in God, but I'm starting to think maybe there is a God and he f#*king hates us.

If there is a god He definitely cheers for a different hockey team

 

[authentic]

I love the Mark Masters interview right before faceoff. No questions about Matthews. Guessing that was a directive from Leafs PR.

Matthews scored a hatty last trip in here and he's not here. Kind of a different game without him...and no question asked? C'mon, man.

But he’s not the MVP because the Leafs are just so good without him lol