Toronto Star Referrer

Two losses

Sprained knee sidelines Matthews, Leafs crash against Senators

KEVIN MCGRAN

Being without Auston Matthews hasn’t hurt the Maple Leafs before.

So, Friday’s news that the star centre will miss a minimum of three weeks — including the NHL AllStar Game — with a sprained knee didn’t send panic through the team’s dressing room.

“I don’t think anything changes,” said Leafs winger Mitch Marner. “We just have to make sure everybody steps up. Those are big shoes to fill, but we have a lot of skill in our lineup.”

Earlier this season, they split a pair of games while Matthews was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. He’s had plenty of ailments in his career, including shoulder, back and wrist injuries. Over the years, heading into Friday night’s home date with the Ottawa Senators, they’d mustered a 31-16-2 record without him.

“If there’s anything we’ve learned about our team this season, we’ve been resilient, no matter who’s been in or out,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “It hasn’t bothered our team to just keep playing.”

Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov will replace Matthews on all-star weekend, Feb. 3 and 4 in Sunrise, Fla., leaving Marner as the Leafs’ lone representative. William Nylander, the Leafs’ top goal scorer, was shut out.

Matthews suffered the knee injury in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers.

“I don’t think there was a specific incident or anything like that,” said Keefe.

“I noticed him in some discomfort a couple of times through the game. Didn’t think much of it at the time. He was still sore (Thursday). We got him an MRI. It will take some time.”

The Leafs have yet to play with a completely healthy lineup this season, and had lost 208 man games to injury through Thursday.

Matthews sits second on the team in goals with 25, and third in points with 53. He’s off last year’s 60-goal pace, but has rounded out his game defensively and leads all forwards in blocked shots. He’s also a key part of a power play that’s ranked10th in the league and trending upward.

“He’s such a big part of our team and one of the best players in the world, so it’s unfortunate,” said Leafs captain John Tavares. “Hopefully he gets back here as quick as possible. I know he’ll do everything that needs to be done to do that and be ready to play.

“For us as a team, we have to come together and not really try to fill the void, but I think just play to our team identity and what’s made us successful. We’ve shown good depth throughout the season, so there’s opportunity for other guys to step up.”

Pontus Holmberg will get a chance as a second-line centre, though the Leafs have Alex Kerfoot should the job prove too much for the rookie.

“Since (Holmberg) has been here with us, he has shown both offensively and defensively that he can play in the league and help us. So, there’s an opportunity there,” said Keefe.

The Leafs are in second place in the Atlantic Division.

“Obviously you’re a different team (without Matthews),” Keefe said, “but I don’t think you have to play differently.”

If the three-week time frame holds, Matthews will return Feb. 18 against the Montreal Canadiens. He would have missed just six games in a light portion of the schedule, thanks to a bye week after the all-star break.

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2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

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