Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews didn't suit up for his team's 2-1 Game 6 victory against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, marking his second consecutive game out of the lineup.
Matthews missed the third period of Game 4 and all of Game 5 due to an illness. He's also dealing with an apparent injury he suffered on an innocuous hit in the series, per The Athletic's Chris Johnston, whose sources added that it would be "reckless" for Matthews to try to play through the ailment.
It's uncertain if Matthews can play in Game 7, though one source told Johnston it's unlikely.
The Maple Leafs prevailed in Game 5 without Matthews to keep their season alive courtesy of Matthew Knies' overtime winner. In Game 6, William Nylander scored twice while Joseph Woll made 22 saves.
Matthews won his third Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in four years this past season by pacing the NHL with 69 goals. He carried the Leafs to victory in Game 2 with a three-point effort - including the game-winner - but has otherwise been held off the scoresheet in the playoffs.
