Matthews skipped the club's morning skate due to maintenance, but it's clear the player hasn't been himself since returning from an upper-body injury.

BUFFALO — Auston Matthews has played in nine games since missing the previous nine due to an undisclosed upper-body injury. The hope was that the Toronto Maple Leafs star forward would be free and clear of whatever was bothering him. 

So how is that going? Not great, it seems.

Matthews has five goals and four assists in his last nine games. A point-per-game pace would normally be ok for a top-range player. But for Matthews, it's far below is superstar pace. It's only marginally better than the 11 points in 13 games he had before he was shut down and traveled to Germany to see a doctor for additional treatment.

Ahead of Toronto's title against the Buffalo Sabres, Matthews skipped the full morning skate for maintenance. But Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube did admit that the player not taking part has something to do with making sure the player is fully healthy,.

"Well it's tough. I mean, he's fighting through it and he's doing, you know, he's doing a pretty good job out there on the ice. Like he's producing and playing hard and working and, you know, we just got to manage it," Berube said." We just got to manage it. You know, it'll get better. We just got to manage it though. And that's why he's off the ice today."

Matthews did not look particularly sharp on a newly created Super Line with Mitch Marner and William Nylander in the club's 5-3 win against the Dallas Stars. Dallas forward Sam Steel exploded past Matthews' for the game's first goal, not something you're accustomed to seeing from the Toronto star.

The Super Line is projected to stay intact against the Sabres with Connor Dewar skating in Matthews' spot as a placeholder during the morning skate.

"He's doing everything he can that's what he always does when he's healthy or not," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said of Matthews. "he's always trying to give himself every advantage. And, you know, he's a pro and, I mean, it's been pretty well documented how dialed in he is. So, you know, he's always going to do what he can to put himself in the best position"

One thing that is evident is that the respite to repair Matthews' undisclosed upper-body injury hasn't worked thus far. With Toronto needing the player, one has to wonder if the Leafs will look to try and get Matthews to rest during the two-week break for the 4 Nations tournament, rather than have him participate for Team USA.

It would be a blow to the Americans, but the Maple Leafs need Matthews back on track. The good news is that isn't for another eight weeks and there is still time.

Matthews has 10 goals and 12 assists in 23 games this season.