For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals had a chance to inspect the ice surface and surroundings, but did not take to the ice at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD on Saturday. The game being played on schedule was still in doubt as late as Friday evening, as winds upwards of 60 mph blasted eastern Maryland, but conditions calmed on Saturday morning and the NHL gave the go-ahead for the Stadium Series game to proceed at it’s scheduled 8pm start.
Who’s ready for outdoor hockey?
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 3, 2018
(This guy is)#StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/CWxRkPGIAQ
When at a football stadium….#StadiumSeries pic.twitter.com/GeKn2h16Xx
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 3, 2018
The expected recovery time for Matthews was two-to-four weeks, which means the earliest return would be the Leafs next home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins next Saturday, but based on Toronto being guaranteed third spot in the Atlantic Division and Boston having four games in hand, it is very possible that the Leafs medical staff will be extra careful with their leading scorer and hold him back until he is 100% healed.
New addition Tomas Plekanec once again will take Matthews’ spot in between Zach Hyman and William Nylander against Washington. *******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******