Matthews was cross-checked in Friday's game against Buffalo, re-aggravating the injury which forced him to miss most of November.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could be without Auston Matthews until after the holiday break.
After falling 6-3 to the New York Islanders on Saturday, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked about his level of concern after Toronto's captain missed another game due to a nagging upper-body injury.
Although he didn't reveal whether the 27-year-old would play on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets, it sure sounds like the Maple Leafs are preparing to play without him.
"I mean, I'm not a doctor. I can't answer that question," Toronto's head coach said post-game. "I'm hoping here with the break coming up he can get some relief, feel better, be ready to go, recharge. That's really all I can say about it."
During Sportsnet's Saturday Headlines segment, Elliotte Friedman said the Maple Leafs aren't panicking about Matthews' injury. The forward has missed 10 games this season and flew to Munich, Germany, in November to receive treatment on his ailment.
"There is some thought the Maple Leafs might just say, 'You know what, take the Christmas break,' but I'm not sure how everybody feels about that," Friedman reported.
"The one thing I would say at this point in time is I always look for panic. Are people panicking about an injury? I don't see that right here with Auston Matthews."
Following Toronto's loss to the Islanders, several of Matthews' teammates were asked if it's concerning that their captain is having to miss yet another game after re-aggravating the injury which kept him out for nearly all of November.
"I don't know (if it's) so much concern, but he's the best player in the world, so, it definitely hurts when you don't have him," said Joseph Woll, who stopped 28 of 33 shots in the loss to New York. "But, at the same time, I think our team has shown that we can rise to the occasion and play regardless of who's in the lineup."
It's difficult to understand how serious Matthews' injury is because the media doesn't see him on a day-to-day basis like his teammates do. John Tavares, who's played with Matthews ever since arriving to the team in 2018, says the captain is doing everything he can to get back into the lineup.
"I know it's very tough on him to miss games and he does everything he can on a daily basis to prepare himself, not only to play at the highest level, but be healthy. He'll continue to do everything he needs to do to get back as soon as possible."
William Nylander had two goals on Saturday against the Islanders, putting him up to 23 on the season. He's one goal behind Leon Draisaitl in the Rocket Richard race 34 games into the year.
The 28-year-old is on pace to have a career year, but after Saturday's loss, also expressed wanting the Toronto captain back in the lineup. If Matthews indeed does miss Monday's game, it's unknown when he could return to the lineup.
"Yeah, obviously you want him playing and feeling good," Nylander said. So whenever he's back and ready to go, I don't know when that is. Hopefully soon."