Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews left Tuesday’s loss to the Boston Bruins with a lower-body injury in the second period and did not return.
The 28-year-old centre was hit by Bruins defenceman Nikita Zadorov from behind along the boards prior to exiting.
Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters after the game he wasn’t entirely sure when Matthews suffered the injury but he was no fan of Zadorov’s hit.
“I think it’s a penalty, personally. But I’m not the referee. I don’t like it. I don’t like the hit. [Matthews] is in a vulnerable position. So, whatever. Nothing I can do about it.”
The Boston blueliner was not penalized on the play and told reporters after the game there was no ill intent.
“It was just a normal play. I didn’t really hit him. I hit my right shoulder, 99 per cent of my hits in the NHL are with my right shoulder,” Zadorov said.
“There was really no intention to hurt him. I play hard against top players on the other team, that’s my job.”
When asked if the injury seems serious, Berube said it was too early to tell.
“We’ll see tomorrow morning. Right now, I mean, it’s lower-body, we’ll just see tomorrow how he is,” Berube said regarding Matthews.
“I don’t know exactly, I really can’t give you guys a timeline or how serious it is right now. So, I’m not sure when he hurt it to be honest with you.”
Matthews did not have a point in 10:51 of ice time before exiting as the Leafs fell 5-3 to drop their third straight game.
The latest on Stolarz
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was also injured Tuesday night and departed after the first period without returning.
Berube was a little more optimistic about his prognosis.
“I don’t believe that’s serious. I think he’ll be fine,” the Leafs’ bench boss said.
He stopped eight of 11 shots before giving way to backup Dennis Hildeby. Stolarz has a 3.51 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage in 13 games so far this season.
