The Florida Panthers will be looking to even their playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4. Meanwhile, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed team practice on Sunday, May 11, raising concerns about his fitness. Nevertheless, the team announced that Matthews will be in the lineup for Game 4.
Hockey Fans Divided Over Auston Matthews Skipping Morning Skate
NHL news outlet Leafs Latest posted the update about Matthews missing practice on X.
❗️Auston Matthews opts to rest again this morning instead of practicing for the second time this postseason, but will be good to go tonight.
Matthews (not confirmed) is clearly battling something* and is choosing rest over practice as the hard playoff games build up.
Thoughts… pic.twitter.com/5xeUKCKssC
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest)
Matthews’ absence quickly became a hot topic online, with some fans slamming the Leafs and even calling for the star forward to be stripped of his captaincy.
Everyone battling injury this time of year.
strip him of the C, this isn’t inspirational behaviour— Price Lies Путин сосет коз (@Tom_Seagul)
“Been ‘battling’ something all season and that’ll be the cop-out if he doesn’t produce and they get eliminated. There’s always an excuse. IMO if he suits up he’s fair game to any and all criticism,” one fan posted.
“Has a severe case of Marchandonitis,” another wrote.
But not everyone was critical. Some fans defended Toronto’s decision to rest Matthews ahead of Game 4.
Leave him alone – thoughts are so what’s necessary
— BELEAF (@BruLac11)
“They have a crazy good team of medical experts that clearly think this is what he needs so it’s whatever. He’s been fine for somebody that’s dealing with something honestly,” one user commented.
Matthews has been dealing with injuries throughout the season. He missed 15 games with a lingering upper body issue, and his production has dipped — he’s scored just two goals in nine playoff games and has yet to find the net in the series against Florida.
Matthews also skipped practice ahead of Game 5 in the Maple Leafs’ first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. Toronto lost that game but went on to win the series in six.
Still, Leafs management and Matthews’ teammates don’t appear worried about his goal drought.
“Look, he’s a great scorer, we all know that. I’m not too worried about it. It is what it is. Yeah, he needs to hit the net. He’s trying to hit the net, he’s not trying to miss the net,” head coach Craig Berube told reporters on Saturday, May 10.
Toronto also has other injury concerns. Joseph Woll is expected to make his third straight start in goal, with Anthony Stolarz not traveling with the team to Florida.
Stolarz hasn’t skated since taking an elbow to the head from Florida’s Sam Bennett during Game 1. He was seen vomiting on the bench and was later taken to the hospital for tests. Though he rejoined the team for off-ice activities the following day, Stolarz has yet to return to practice.
