Toronto is hoping that Matthews can finish the 2024-25 campaign healthy whenever he returns. The veteran forward took over the Maple Leafs' captaincy from Tavares during the offseason nearly one year after the former signed a four-year, $53 million extension with the franchise.

TORONTO -- Auston Matthews practiced Monday but will miss his fifth straight game when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday (1 p.m. ET; SNO, MSGSN). It was the center’s first time practicing since reaggravating an upper-body injury Dec. 20 during a 6-3 win at the Buffalo Sabres.

Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal in his return to action as the Washington Capitals upended the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Washington Capitals vs. Toronto Maple Leafs NHL game to be played on December 28, 2024 on ESPN.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without captain Auston Matthews for at least the next two games as the star center continues to nurse an upper-body injury, NHL.com reported Friday. Matthews, 27, has missed Toronto's last two games and will sit out Friday's contest at Detroit and Saturday's home showdown against Washington.

The Maple Leafs likely will be without captain Auston Matthews for at least the next two games, although the star center is said to be doing better as he recovers from an upper-body injury.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will continue to play without Auston Matthews as the first-year captain remains sidelined with an upper-body injury, head coach Craig Berube confirmed to David Alter of The Hockey News.

On Friday morning, star forward and captain Auston Matthews was not taking part in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice ahead of their matchup with the Detroit Red Wings. After the morning skate, Leafs head coach Craig Berube announced that Matthews would miss tonight’s game against Detroit as well as Saturday’s contest against the Washington Capitals.