Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Leafs without Matthews in win-or-go-home G5

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Tuesday, 30 April 2024 16:29

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews will not play in Game 5 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Bruins on Tuesday night in Boston.

Toronto trails in the best-of-seven series, 3-1.

Matthews has dealt with a lingering illness for more than a week, and the symptoms have been exacerbated during games. Coach Sheldon Keefe declined to comment earlier Tuesday if Matthews is battling an undisclosed injury in addition to the sickness.

Keefe said it would be the Leafs' team doctors making the final call on whether Matthews would dress.

"He's working through things to try to make himself available to play. No determination at this time," Keefe said Tuesday morning. "We'll see how the rest of the day goes."

Matthews did skate Tuesday prior to the team's optional morning skate at TD Garden. He spent about 10 minutes going through some light drill work with assistant coaches and departed before the full session got underway.

It was the first time Matthews had been on the ice since being pulled by team doctors before the third period of Game 4 on Saturday.

Matthews played through his sickness in Game 3, a 4-2 Leafs loss, and stayed in through the first 40 minutes of Toronto's 3-1 defeat in Game 4. The Leafs' top center had his best outing in Game 2, tallying all three points he's earned this series, including the game-winning goal.

With Matthews not able to play, Max Domi moves up to Matthews' top line spot and William Nylander goes to the team's second line. Domi also will take Matthews' spot on the Leafs' sputtering power play, which is 1-for-11 in the playoffs.

Toronto is eyeing a change in net as well for Game 5, going from Ilya Samsonov to Joseph Woll. Samsonov had started all four games against Boston but was replaced by Woll for the third period of Game 4 after Samsonov allowed three goals on 16 shots. Woll made five saves in relief.

The 25-year-old had a solid regular season primarily backing up for Samsonov, collecting a 12-11-1 record with a .907 save percentage and a 2.94 goals-against average. Woll got his first taste of NHL postseason hockey last year when Samsonov was injured in the second round of the playoffs against Florida and Woll took over the crease, posting a .915 SV% and a 2.43 GAA.

"For a young guy he's pretty steady," Leafs forward Ryan Reaves said of Woll. "I think he's excited to get in there and do his thing. We're a confident bunch when he's in the net."

Keefe stressed after Monday's practice the importance of Toronto improving on special teams and goaltending if it was to stay alive for Game 6. Boston has halted its goalie rotation and stuck with Jeremy Swayman for three of the four games, and he's been excellent (3-0-0, .956 SV%, 1.34 GAA). The Bruins' power play has also given the Leafs' fits at 6-for-13 in the series.

Boston planned to go with Swayman again for Game 5.

Read 25 times

Soccer

Ranieri leaving Cagliari after ensuring survival

Ranieri leaving Cagliari after ensuring survival

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsClaudio Ranieri will leave his job as Cagliari coach by mutual agre...

Angel Reese buys stake in DC Power soccer club

Angel Reese buys stake in DC Power soccer club

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWomen's basketball star Angel Reese, who is from Maryland, is part...

Injured Naeher out of Hayes' 1st USWNT roster

Injured Naeher out of Hayes' 1st USWNT roster

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe first United States women's national team roster with new head...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Lakers' Reaves doesn't qualify for golf event

Lakers' Reaves doesn't qualify for golf event

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPlenty of pro athletes play golf during their offseason, but Los An...

Wemby makes history with All-Defensive selection

Wemby makes history with All-Defensive selection

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Victor Wembanyama's latest accolade was like none other...

Baseball

Guardians place SP Carrasco on IL, promote Curry

Guardians place SP Carrasco on IL, promote Curry

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Cleveland Guardians placed Tuesday's previously scheduled start...

Cubs activate Swanson ahead of Braves series

Cubs activate Swanson ahead of Braves series

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs on Tuesday activated shortstop Dansby S...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated