TORONTO — Auston Matthews boarded a aircraft and crossed an ocean.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping the journey gives some solutions — and returns their finest to the ice.
Common supervisor Brad Treliving stated following Tuesday’s observe his captain, out day-to-day since Nov. 5 due to an undisclosed upper-body harm, is in Germany to see a physician the star middle has labored with previously.
“Extra as a common checkup,” Treliving stated throughout an unscheduled availability with reporters. “But additionally to get some work carried out on this factor.”
Matthews has sat out six video games and might be out a seventh Wednesday when Toronto hosts the Vegas Golden Knights.
Treliving, who added a group physician accompanied the star ahead to Europe, stated with the Leafs enjoying solely twice this week the group determined to make use of the time to its benefit.
Treliving declined to supply additional particulars on what’s ailing Matthews, who’s believed to have skated solely twice since final enjoying Nov. 3.
“There’s been no setbacks,” Treliving stated of the 2022 Hart Trophy winner. “Every part’s been, really, going fairly effectively. We’re simply making an attempt to make use of the times that we have got right here with much less video games being performed to simply attempt to get this behind us.”
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Toronto (11-6-2) was already down three forwards with Matthews, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok sidelined earlier than saying earlier Tuesday middle David Kampf (lower-body harm) can also be now on the shelf. Fraser Minten was recalled from the minors to take his spot.
Reaves response
Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves was suspended 5 video games for Saturday’s unlawful verify to the top on Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
“By no means wish to see anyone injured,” Treliving stated. “It is a hockey play that goes fallacious.”
Reaves was in Toronto’s locker room Tuesday following observe and appeared prepared to talk with reporters, however the group’s communications employees intervened and made it clear the 37-year-old ahead wasn’t out there to remark.
“We thought it was a bit excessive,” Leafs middle John Tavares stated of a ban from the NHL’s Division of Participant Security that guidelines Reaves out till Dec. 4. “However we’ll stick behind him … we all know how efficient he is been.”
Domi struggling
Leafs ahead Max Domi has simply six assists — and is on a career-worst 13-game level drought — regardless of enjoying an offensive function.
The 29-year-old, who was on the ice Tuesday, missed two latest practices for upkeep.
“He is combating by means of loads proper now … he is banged up,” coach Craig Berube stated. “I am not overly involved. We gotta preserve working by means of it.”
