The Toronto Maple Leafs were without Auston Matthews during Monday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers. Matthews was out of the lineup for the seventh consecutive contest with an upper-body injury, leaving Maple Leafs fans to wonder when the 27-year-old captain will finally return to action.
The latest update on Matthews’ situation came before Monday’s game when head coach Craig Berube revealed that the star forward’s recovery was in a “holding pattern.”
Berube also made it clear that the veteran sniper didn’t suffer any setbacks, however, that wasn’t exactly the concrete answer the fanbase wanted.
On Tuesday, NHL insider Chris Johnston provided another update regarding Matthews’ condition and the latest news comes with an international twist.
“Auston Matthews is currently in Munich receiving treatment from a doctor he’s worked with in the past, and is being accompanied by a team physician,” Johnston reported on X. “The Maple Leafs say there’s no been no setback or change in his status.”
Auston Matthews is currently in Munich receiving treatment from a doctor he's worked with in the past, and is being accompanied by a team physician. The #leafs say there's no been no setback or change in his status.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 19, 2024
Athletes taking medical trips to Germany isn’t something that sports fans like to hear. Munich has some of the best athletic doctors in the world, however, a visit with them usually implies that an athlete is dealing with a serious injury.
While some Maple Leafs supporters will likely be concerned about Matthews’ latest update, SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman doesn’t think it’s time to hit the panic button just yet.
“Just because it isn’t local, it shouldn’t cause panic,” Friedman reported after the news was announced. “Surgery for Matthews’ undisclosed injury is not being considered and was never part of this process.”
“The European trip was an opportunity to get some ‘overall body work’ done in addition to the treatment of whatever is ailing him.”
Hopefully, Matthews’ trip to Germany will help put his injury woes firmly in the rearview mirror. The former first-overall pick’s ailment played a role in his slow start to the season as he only mustered five goals and six assists in his first 13 outings before being sidelined.
The Maple Leafs have managed to survive life without Matthews so far, going 6-1-0 in the first seven games of his absence. At the same time, they likely can’t wait to welcome him back with open arms given that he’s leading the NHL with 373 goals – 30 more than the next closest player – since making his debut in 2016-17.
As Matthews continues to look for a solution to his health issues, the Maple Leafs will turn their focus to Wednesday’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Get well soon,we love to watch you play.best of luck.