Matthews (day-to-day) out vs. Bruins; Domi to centre top line
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Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and will not be available for Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins.
Matthews played in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, notching an assist in 22:12 minutes of ice time.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube revealed after Tuesday's gameday skate that Matthews has been playing through a lingering injury.
"Everybody just needs to do their job out there," Berube said of playing without Matthews. "I don't think you focus on, 'Oh, Auston's not playing so what are we going to do?' We've got a good team, got good players. People are going to get a little different look in situations, lines, things like that. They're capable guys, good players.
"You've just got to go play."
The 27-year-old forward has spent the season at centre on a line with Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies. Max Domi moved into Matthews' spot on that line in the gameday skate.
The second line of Max Pacioretty, John Tavares and William Nylander was untouched, while Pontus Holmberg worked at centre on a third line with Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson. Steven Lorentz, David Kampf and Ryan Reaves formed the fourth line.
"We've got guys that are going to have to step up," Domi said. "Auston's such a big part of our team, but that's how it goes. You're not gonna have your full lineup for all 82 (games)."
"He can play all through the lineup," Marner said of Domi. "Very elusive, very fast … makes a lot of great plays, very responsible with the puck."
Anthony Stolarz worked in the home net during the session, suggesting he will make a second straight start for Toronto.
Matthews has five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season. He led the NHL with 69 goals last season and posted 107 points in 81 games.
He has appeared in all 82 games in a season just once in his career - as a rookie in 2016-17.
The first overall pick in the 2016 draft has 373 goals and 660 points in 575 career games. He is the league's highest-paid player this season, carrying a cap hit of $13.25 million in the first of a four-year extension signed in 2023.
The Maple Leafs are 6-5-2 this season and are third in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins are just behind them with a 6-6-1 record.
"Big test against a good team," Domi said. "We owe 'em."