More bad news for Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs!

On Friday morning, star forward and captain Auston Matthews was not taking part in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice ahead of their matchup with the Detroit Red Wings.

After the morning skate, Leafs head coach Craig Berube announced that Matthews would miss tonight’s game against Detroit as well as Saturday’s contest against the Washington Capitals.

"I would say no, tomorrow too. But again, he's doing better which is good," said Berube. "I can't give you anything more than that, to be honest with you. I mean, like I said, I'll update you more tomorrow. We'll see how he's doing tomorrow."

Matthews has missed the previous two games, both losses to the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets, with an upper-body injury, the same ailment that forced him to be sidelined last month and sent him to Germany to receive treatment from a doctor he’s used before. He missed nine contests between Nov. 3 and Nov. 30. Since returning to the lineup on Nov. 30, Matthews has scored six goals and six assists for 12 points in 11 games.

In 24 games this season, Matthews has posted 11 goals and 23 points after recording a career-best 69 goals and 107 points in 81 games last year.

With the captain out, the Maple Leafs have elected to put Pontus Holmberg in Matthews’ spot, centering Matthew Knies and William Nylander on the second line.

In other news for the Maple Leafs, coach Berube revealed that defenseman Chris Tanev was a game-time decision for tonight against the Red Wings.