What Happened to Auston Matthews? The Toronto Maple Leafs Superstar Was Pulled by the Team Doctor
"Ultimately, he's been giving us everything that he has here. Ultimately, the doctor pulled him," stated head coach Sheldon Keefe.
By Brandon CharlesApr. 29 2024, Published 2:Eleven p.m. ET
The Torotanto Maple Leafs are getting ready to removal. Down 3 to 1 in opposition to the Boston Bruins in a first-round Stanley Cup playoffs series, it’s now not taking a look excellent for Toronto — and previous MVP Auston Matthews being compelled to take a seat isn’t serving to.
Though Auston began Game Four for the Leafs, he used to be no longer allowed again at the ice after the second one period. It’s difficult to win when your best possible player can’t play.
Auston Matthews in Game 3 on April 24, 2024
What happened to Auston Matthews? He was once pulled by the team doctor due to an unspecified sickness.
Speaking with reporters after Game 4, Maple Leafs’ Head Coach Sheldon Keefe defined the decision-making process for now not permitting the team’s best participant to play. “It's all simply similar to the illness he is been dealing with. Ultimately, he is been giving us the whole thing that he has right here. Ultimately, the doctor pulled him."
The aforementioned illness hasn’t been clarified by Auston or the Maple Leafs. According to The Hockey News' April 28, 2024 report about Auston’s health, "There's been a couple of stories that experience advised that Matthews is getting over meals poisoning. It unquestionably explains why Matthews may not had been himself."
Coach Keefe addressed the illness in another question about the team superstar. "We idea the remaining couple of days would assist us, however, for no matter reason why, it isn't one of those run-of-the-mill type of illnesses that kind of comes and goes. This one has lingered, and the results have lingered and gotten worse when he is were given at the ice and is asserting himself."
Auston Matthews in Game 3 on April 24, 2024
A Game 5 return for Auston isn’t looking good.
According to The Athletic’s Maple Leafs reporter Jonas Siegel, Auston is not practicing with the team on Monday, April 29, 2024, two days since last playing with the team.
No Auston Matthews at Leafs practice today.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) April 29, 2024Though Auston isn’t at practice before Game 5, he also wasn’t able to practice before Game 3 or 4. So while the Hart Trophy winner may still make it to the ice in Boston, it’s just not a good sign for a completely healthy return. While he’s not yet scratched from the lineup, it is worth noting that his absence is being labeled as an illness rather than an injury.
Auston Matthews in Game 4 on April 27, 2024
Don’t expect a Michael Jordan–esque "flu recreation" from Auston
Though sports are full of legendary comeback stories, they’re very few and far between. Michael Jordan’s infamous "flu game" against the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was later revealed as an issue of food poisoning, not the flu. After the game Michael said the game was “probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I almost played myself into passing out just to win a basketball game.”
It’s important to note Jordan’s "flu recreation" was in the NBA Finals, not round 1. There aren’t any notable round 1 "flu game"–like comeback stories because they just don’t happen.
The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Boston Bruins in Boston at the TD Garden on Tuesday, April 30. Puck drops at 7 p.m. According to FanDuel the Bruins are the favorites to win Game 5.
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