Leafs' Matthews will miss Wednesday's game against Vegas
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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss a seventh consecutive game on Wednesday with the Vegas Golden Knights paying a visit to Scotiabank Arena, head coach Craig Berube told the media on Monday.
"It's a little bit of a holding pattern, but he's not getting worse so that's a good thing. It's just taking time. It's taking long, but it is what it is," said the coach.
Matthews last played on Nov. 3, when the Maple Leafs lost 2-1 in overtime against the Minnesota Wild. Matthews hasn't skated in over a week.
After Wednesday's game, the Leafs are off until Sunday when they will host the Utah Hockey Club.
The Maple Leafs have played well with Matthews sidelined, posting a 5-1 record, including a 4-3 overtime victory over Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
In 13 games this season, Matthews has five goals and 11 points. He led all goal scorers a season ago, when he finished with 69 - the most in a single season since Mario Lemieux finished with 69 in the 1995-96 season.
Järnkrok out month-to-month
Maple Leafs forward Calle Järnkrok underwent groin and sports hernia surgery and is considered month-to-month in his recovery.
"He's gotta get it fixed and he'll be out a while," said Berube." It's too bad, because he's a player we liked and can help us and really haven't had that opportunity to do that."
He has yet to play a game this season.
Jarnkrok suffered a setback in his recovery earlier this month that required a visit to a specialist.
The 33-year-old native of Czech Republic scored 10 goals and added 11 assists over 52 games with the Maple Leafs in 2023-24, his second season with the organization. Jarnkrok didn't record a point in seven postseason games.
Jarnkrok is in the third season of a four-year, $8.4 million contract, featuring an average annual value of $2.1 million.