'It's Just Not Getting To Where It Needs To Get To': Auston Matthews Held Off The Ice For The Second Consecutive Day, Will Not Play Against Senators

Matthews has been out for a week an upper-body injury and was doubtful to play Tuesday. He may miss Wednesday's game in Washington, too.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said it was "doubtful" that Auston Matthews would be in the lineup when the club hosts the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena Tuesday. But now it's looking like he may also miss Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals after the star forward was held off the ice for the second consecutive day.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was asked if Matthews has experienced any setbacks in his recovery from an upper-body injury that has shelved him since last week.

"No, not really. It's just not getting to where it needs to get to," Berube said after Toronto's morning skate. "So we're just trying to manage it, you know. Just trying to make sure when it comes back, he's good and 100 percent."

The Leafs announced last week that Matthews would not play against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 5 due to an upper-body injury and confirmed it's an issue the star has been dealing with since the pre-season. The club subsequently put Matthews on injured reserve, freeing up his roster spot to Connor Dewar, who will make his season debut against the Senators after fully recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

With Matthews not on the ice for the last couple of day, the prospect of the player dressing for Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals does not look good.

The Leafs called up Steeves on an emergency basis and it's likely he joined the club for the trip as an extra forward if needed.

The club is a perfect 3-0-0 without Matthews in the lineup this season. The power play has also been firing on all cylinders going 7-for-13 without No. 34 in the lineup.

Matthews has five goals and six assists in 13 games this season, far below his goal-producing pace.