Matthews, who is Maple Leafs captain, did not participate in a full morning skate prior to the game against the Sabres on Dec. 20 but scored and played 19:18. He took two hard hits in the game, one from Sabres forward Tage Thompson in the first period and a cross-check from defenseman Dennis Gilbert in the third period, though he finished the game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Auston Matthews on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 20, where he aggravated an upper-body injury which forced him to miss most of November. Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews has been placed on IR (upper body) retroactive to December 20. D Marshall Rifai has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

It was clear before Craig Berube revealed Matthews was still “fighting through” something that not all was right with the Leafs captain.

The Maple Leafs once again placed Auston Matthews on the IR on Tuesday however, the move is more or less just a placeholder in order to bring up a body.

Toronto is hoping that Matthews can finish the 2024-25 campaign healthy whenever he returns. The veteran forward took over the Maple Leafs' captaincy from Tavares during the offseason nearly one year after the former signed a four-year, $53 million extension with the franchise.

Auston Matthews is back practicing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto captain Auston Matthews sat out the Maple Leafs’ game Saturday night against the New York Islanders because of an undisclosed injury.

Auston Matthews took part in Toronto Maple Leafs practice for the first time since a Dec. 20 injury but won't play Tuesday at home against the New York Islanders.

Auston Matthews joined the Toronto Maple Leafs at practice on Monday morning, a sign that he may be inching closer to a return to game action. Matthews has missed the last four games after aggravating a mysterious undisclosed injury,