Matthews taken to locker room but returns after hit to head vs. Sharks

Toronto Maple Leafs fans can breathe a major sigh of relief.

Superstar center Auston Matthews exited Friday's contest versus the San Jose Sharks after taking a hit to the head from Brenden Dillon in the second period but was able to return for the final frame.

Matthews stayed down for a moment before finishing his shift but was later pulled to enter concussion protocol.

There was no penalty called on the play.

Matthews confirmed he was feeling no worse for wear following the contest, a 4-1 victory for Toronto.

"No, I wasn't worried, just shaken up," Matthews said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "They take that stuff seriously so it's no problem, go to the quiet room and figure it out. Everything came back positive so I got back in the third and felt fine."

Additionally, Dillon said he apologized to Matthews afterward, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Matthews missed time in the 2017-18 campaign due to concussion symptoms. Any potential absence would've been a huge blow to the Maple Leafs, who are already missing fellow star pivot John Tavares due to a broken finger.

Matthews went on to score his ninth goal of the season after he returned, giving him 12 points in 12 games in 2019-20.