Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthews a game-time decision vs. Capitals

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews is a game-time decision to play on Thursday against the Washington Capitals, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Matthews, currently leading the league with 59 goals through 70 games, is battling an illness, according to Keefe.

“Just illness for him, so it’s gonna lean on how he feels throughout the day,” Keefe said. “In this case with Auston it’s not a flu-related situation, so that’s different. But certainly it seems like something has come through our team here.”

The Leafs have been besieged by absences of late: defencemen Morgan Rielly and Joel Edmundson (undisclosed injuries) both missed Tuesday’s loss to the Devils, while winger Mitch Marner (ankle) has not played since March 7. Fellow forward Calle Järnkrok missed 13 games with a knuckle fracture, only to be knocked out of the lineup just six games after his return with another hand injury. He last played March 14. None are expected back before next week.

Veteran defenceman Mark Giordano has not played since suffering a concussion on Feb. 29, though he is healthy again and available to draw back into the lineup.

Goalie Ilya Samsonov, who had to leave Saturday’s win over the Oilers in the third period with a calf injury, has not played since, though he has indicated he is good to go. Joseph Woll (10-9-1) will get the start in goal for the third straight time on Thursday night.

The Maple Leafs are coming off a 6-3 loss to New Jersey in which they launched 45 shots at Devils goalie Jake Allen. It was an effort that Keefe described afterward as “immature.”

The Leafs’ game against the Capitals can be seen at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

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