TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 25: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal with teammate Auston Matthews #34 against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Matthews out 3 games, Mikheyev to miss 8 weeks

5 years ago

Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / Getty

The Toronto Maple Leafs ruled out center Auston Matthews for the first three games of the regular season as he continues to work his way back from offseason wrist surgery, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Toronto will also be without winger Ilya Mikheyev for approximately eight weeks due to a broken thumb. He suffered the ailment in Saturday's preseason finale.

Here's a look at Toronto's projected forward lines for opening night following the injury announcements:

Leafs practice lines:

Ritchie-Tavares-Marner
Bunting-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Kase
Simmonds-Amadio-Spezza

Extras: Matthews, Semyonov

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott/Liljegren

Campbell-Mrazek
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 11, 2021

Meanwhile, Nick Ritchie joined the top power play in Matthews' absence, assuming the net-front role. John Tavares shifted to Matthews' vacant spot on the right flank.

#Leafs try with and without Matthews on the PP at practice. Here is the without.
🥅
Ritchie
Nylander-Marner-Tavares
Rielly

Simmonds
Engvall-Bunting-Spezza
Sandin
— David Alter (@dalter) October 11, 2021

Toronto's first three games come Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by a home-and-home with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday and Saturday.