Matthews did not take part in practice on Monday and the line combinations suggest they are bracing for the star to be absent in Game 5.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be without Auston Matthews for a key Game 5 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series with the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.

The star player was removed in the second intermission of Game 4 with what Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed on Friday as a lingering illness that gets worse when he exerted himself on the ice.

The Maple Leafs practice on Monday and prepared as though Matthews may not be available for Game 5, moving Max Domi back to the middle of the top line while elevating Mitch Marner to the top line alongside Tyler Bertuzzi.

Keefe said Matthews will travel to Boston on Monday to be with the team but that his status for Tuesday is "yet to be determined."

"I mean, of course we're hopeful that he's available and feeling good and back to himself," Keefe said. "So, you know, that's what we're hopeful for."

Matthews has not taken part in any morning skates or practices since Game 2. When the Leafs practiced before Game 3, Connor Dewar skated as a placeholder for Matthews.

Max Domi also skated in top power-play unit drills in place of Matthews.

But this time was different, and unless the Leafs are really good actors trying to withhold information (and you can't discount that during the playoffs), they are fearing that Matthews may not be available to help the club stave off elimination. 

"We've played well with guys out in the past," Keefe said. "Obviously we started the series without Willy (William Nylander) and had to deal with that. So, you know, in the regular season, same kind of thing. But we'll see what tomorrow brings.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jUPGWi1zMA[/embed]

Matthews was instrumental in helping the Maple Leafs win their only game of the series thus far. He scored the game-winning goal and assisted on the other two tallies in a 3-2 win against the Bruins in Game 2.

"It's not ideal not to be without Auston Matthews, I mean, you're talking about one of the best players in the world," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. "But there's tremendous depth, talent and character on this team and it's a great opportunity for all of us to step up and raise our game, which is already needed and necessary."

The Maple Leafs trail their best-of-seven series 3-1 against the Bruins with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday at TD Garden.

Related

What the Maple Leafs are Getting in Nikita Grebyonkin, Who Just Signed His Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract

Former Maple Leafs Player Nearly Involved in Fight During Handshake Line as Marlies Are Eliminated From Calder Cup Playoffs

'I Look At It As Progress And Those Guys Care': Sheldon Keefe Gives His Perspective of Bench Argument Involving Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander in Game 4 Loss Against Bruins

News from THN.com

Time for Some Spending: Three Canadiens Free Agent Targets

While East Teams Romp Through Round 1, Avalanche and Jets Are In a War

Top Five NHL Arenas for Playoff Hockey in 2024