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The Toronto Maple Leafs rebounded from a slow start and an early two-goal deficit, as Tyler Bozak scored in the shootout to give the Leafs a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders at Air Canada Centre on Thursday, but the excitement over the win was tempered by concern over an injury to Auston Matthews.
Matthews tied the game with 3:29 left in regulation, but on his next shift the Leafs leading scorer was sandwiched by Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech and forward Cal Clutterbuck, went to the bench and locker room in obvious discomfort and did not return.
Head coach Mike Babcock indicated following the game that he did not know the extent of the injury and that an update would be provided after the club practices at the MasterCard Centre on Friday morning.
Here's the video of the collision between Pelech, Clutterbuck and Auston Matthews late in the third period. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/9UP4ppB4cW
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) February 23, 2018
The comeback somewhat covered up for what was a poor overall effort by Toronto, who fell behind 2-0 on goals from Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal midway through the first period. Mitch Marner replied for the Leafs with his 15th of the season late in the first.
After a scoreless middle frame, Morgan Rielly tied the game early in the third, but that lasted less than two minutes, as Jordan Eberle’s centering pass deflected off the leg of Nikita Zaitsev past Frederik Andersen to give New York the lead.
Matthews tying goal was equally fluky, as he deflected a Jake Gardiner point shot that pinballed off of Nick Leddy’s shin pad and past Jaroslav Halak.
The extent of Matthews injury could have an affect on what direction the Leafs go before Monday’s deadline. If it is a minor injury that keeps him out a few weeks, then it should not make Lou Lamoriello deviate from whatever plan he is going to implement.
If Matthews injury is of a serious nature and has him out for most of the last six weeks of the regular season, it may sway the Leafs GM to explore another direction, such as dealing winger James van Riemsdyk for future assets.
TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that it is a shoulder injury for Matthews.
TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated on McKenzie’s “Bobcast… podcast this week that according to a couple league GM’s, if van Riemsdyk were on the trade market before 3pm Monday, the return that he would get would be “top of the class…, likely including a first round pick, a top prospect and a conditional pick, which is a similar price that Toronto would have to give up to get a top-four defenseman.
The Leafs will need Matthews playing at his top level to have any chance of beating Boston or Tampa in the first round and there was a noticeable drop in the young center’s performance for a few weeks after returning to the lineup from a back injury earlier this season.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on this week’s 31 Thoughts podcast thinks there is still a chance that Toronto will deal for Detroit center Luke Glendening before February 26th.
There continues to be a wide gulf over the draft pick that the Leafs would have to give up for the 28-year-old favorite of Mike Babcock and a deal could include oft-scratched winger Josh Leivo.
Will update with any news on Matthews status….
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