Leafs reporter raises the alarm over Auston Matthews’ injury after concerning outing against Dallas

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews has not been the same since returning from an injury back in November, and one team reporter wonders how healthy the forward really is.

Joshua Kloke of the Athletic explained to Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne on Sportsnet 590 ‘The FAN’ on ‘Real Kyper And Bourne’ on Sportsnet how Matthews performed since returning from the injury that kept him out of action for most of November. The Leafs’ captain missed most of last month due to an upper-body injury suffered Nov. 3rd against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and even traveled to Germany to see a specialist for treatment.

Kloke believes Matthews may not be a hundred percent and could be dealing with a nagging injury since he has not been his usual self since returning. The reporter even goes on to say that Matthews has taken a step back since returning to the ice.

“I wonder if there’s something nagging him like an injury.

He looked like he was slower than normal last night.

I mean, the backcheck on the one goal, doesn’t that get other players benched for a few shifts.

Doesn’t that effort get a fourth liner stapled to the bench for the rest of the period?“

The analysis came after the Maple Leafs’ game against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday in which Matthews couldn’t keep up with Sam Steel, struggling to match his speed.

Kloke strongly believes there is something wrong with Matthews and couldn’t help but raise the alarm on the matter.

“Sometimes the right answer is the easiest, it just looks like he’s carrying a little something, some kind of injury or some kind of ache.”

I mean, Matthews is still playing well and could just be getting back into the swing of things. In 23 games this season, he has put up 10 goals and 22 points, but you just feel like something’s off.

And Kloke might be right about this nagging injury…

To add to his point, on Friday, Matthews missed practice, though the Maple Leafs mentioned he would play later tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Head coach Craig Berube commented:

“It’s tough. He’s fighting through it, and he’s doing a pretty good job out there on the ice. He’s producing, playing hard, and working. We just have to manage it. It’ll get better. That’s why he’s off the ice today.”