'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Auston Matthews has spent a long time recovering from an upper-body injury. The team never diagnosed him with a specific ailment, and he has not had a timetable to eventually come back to the ice, though it is expected to be soon. He has been out since Nov. 3.
Trending
He was asked about this at his media availability on Friday, and he responded bluntly (5:25):
"I don't think there's really any secrecy. Like, I don't think we did anything outside of the rules of providing information to you guys in the NHL. So I think it just gets a little blown out of proportion with the marketplace and you guys being a little bit nosy."
Matthews said that he doesn't believe the team has done anything secretive:
"I think it's my choice whether or not I'm going to share the extent of injury."
The Toronto Maple Leafs captain said everywhere around the league there are upper-body injuries and lower-body injuries:
"I think it's just been made out to be a bigger deal than it is. I don't really care. It's up for you guys to talk about it and do your thing. But, you know, in the end, I'm just going to focus on myself and focus on the team and being the best that I can."
The Leafs have gone 7-2 in the 9 games without Matthews, the latest being a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Auston Matthews set for long-awaited return
Tonight should be the night that Auston Matthews returns to the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It has been almost a full month since he last played, and the team has done well in his absence. Still, they've been playing without one of their top players.
On Friday, Matthews said, via ESPN:
"In my mind, I'm back and excited to play tomorrow."
Matthews has played 13 of 23 games this year, and the Leafs are currently 13-7-2. They take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are 12-8-2, tonight at 7 p.m. EST in what should be, barring a setback, Matthews' return.
