Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews missed Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers with a wrist injury, but the issue is not expected to keep him out of action long-term.
"This does not seem to be a situation that's any cause for real alarm," Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reported during Saturday's Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada. "I think the decision to keep him out of [Saturday's game] is really situational. If this isn't a first-place team, if this isn't the start of a road trip with five games in eight days perhaps he's playing.
"I would expect we'll see Auston back in the lineup quite soon."
Matthews aggravated his wrist during Wednesday’s overtime victory over the Calgary Flames when he crashed hands-first into the boards. Matthews completed the game, gathering a pair of assists, but coach Sheldon Keefe shielded his top centre from taking faceoffs.
Listed as day-to-day, Matthews missed the team’s full practice Friday but skated with the reserves Saturday morning at Rogers Place.
The 23-year-old has tallied 18 goals and 13 assists through 20 games this season.
With files from Luke Fox
