The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Ottawa Senators in a crucial Game 5 matchup Tuesday night, with a chance to clinch the series and advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs. But questions are swirling about captain Auston Matthews ahead of the pivotal matchup after he missed practice Monday.
Leafs’ Mitch Marner Isn’t Worried About Auston Matthews’ Absence
In speaking with TSN’s Mark Masters, Leafs alternate captain Mitch Marner didn’t seem too worried when asked about Matthews’ untimely absence:
“No, no, he’s in great spirits & he’s feeling good. Yeah, I mean, some days you just need an extra little bit of rest.”
Any concern about Auston Matthews missing practice?
Mitch Marner: "No, no, he’s in great spirits & he’s feeling good. Yeah, I mean, some days you just need an extra little bit of rest."@TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 28, 2025
Matthews could probably use the extra rest this postseason after battling a nagging upper-body injury during two separate stints in the regular season, eventually making his way to the injured reserve.
In November, he missed nine games battling the injury and even sought treatment in Germany. He reaggravated the same injury in December, which led to him missing another six games. It’s been a tough road for the Leafs captain, but he’s gutted through it to be there when it matters most.
Even after missing games during the regular season, Matthews put together a strong year with 33 goals and 78 points in just 67 games played, averaging 1.16 points per game. His presence alone changes how teams have to defend Toronto, and his chemistry with Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies has been electric so far in the postseason.
Matthews has been fully healthy throughout the first round of the playoffs, notching one goal and four assists against the Senators heading into Tuesday. The Knies-Matthews-Marner trio has combined for 15 points in this series, leading the team and contributing significantly to Toronto’s stranglehold on the series.
Toronto Looks To Close Out Ottawa in Game 5
Matthews’ consistent play on a top line with Marner and left wing Matthew Knies propelled the Maple Leafs to a quick 3-0 series lead against the Senators to start the Battle of Ontario before losing 4-3 in overtime on Saturday, keeping the Senators’ season alive. Ottawa showed plenty of fight in Game 4, forcing Toronto to tighten things up if they want to avoid giving their rivals any more life.
The Leafs now look to rebound and close out the series Tuesday at Canadian Tire Centre, a building that’s sure to be rocking with Senators fans hoping for one more upset.
With a seemingly healthy Matthews and Marner leading the team in points this postseason, a Maple Leafs win in Game 5 would give the team only its second appearance past the first round of the playoffs since 2004. It would also clear a huge mental hurdle for a core group that has taken its fair share of criticism over the years.
The Maple Leafs have underperformed severely in the playoffs in recent seasons, losing in the first round in seven of the past eight seasons, and only making it to the Eastern Conference semifinals during the 2022-23 season. With eyes on the Stanley Cup and looming questions about what the team may do with Marner after this season, the team hopes to put it all together this time around — and finally prove the doubters wrong.