Auston Matthews Out with Lower-Body Injury, Could Miss Up to a Week

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is sidelined with a lower-body injury and could miss up to a week of action, coach Craig Berube confirmed on Thursday. Matthews exited Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins in the second period after a hit from behind by defenseman Nikita Zadorov, not returning for the third. Berube expressed his view that the hit was a penalty. This marks Matthews' first injury-related absence this season, having missed 15 games last year. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner has nine goals and 14 points in 17 games this season. The team will adopt a 'next-man-up mentality' during his recovery, though Berube noted he might return sooner than a week.