Toronto Maple Leafs' superstar Auston Matthews in a press conference.
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Concussion: Worrying rumor concerning Auston Matthews

Published April 30, 2024 at 9:49
BY JULIEN TREKKER

A worrying rumor concerning Auston Matthews suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar could be dealing with a concussion.

After he got pulled out of game four between the Leafs and the Boston Bruins, and his status remains uncertain for game 5, it's been put forward by the longtime Leafs analyst Howard Berger that Matthews could have a concussion.

The rumor started with Sheldon Keefe's explanations of Matthews' situation. He stated that it's getting worse when he's on the ice:

"For whatever reason, it's not one of those everyday types of illnesses that sort of come and go. This one has lingered, and the effects have lingered and gotten worse when he's on the ice asserting himself."




Then, Berger mentionned that with all the secrecy about health issues in the playoffs, it's hard to find the truth for the moment, but many scenarios are on the table, and concussion is one of them.

"I know that Matthews has sustained at least two concussions during his years in the NHL. And, while I have no pertinent info, the fact the Leafs are calling it an ‘illness' rather than an injury — and that the issue is complicated by physical exertion — leads me to think he may have taken another shot to the head.

Of course, the NHL has strict concussion protocol and the Leafs would be obligated to keep Matthews out of the line–up if he's experiencing any effects of post–concussion syndrome. I'm sort of debunking my own argument, but no one tells the truth in the playoffs. So we are left to speculate. And, I'm comfortable with the head–shot hypothesis."

He also rebuked the possibility that he suffers from food poisoning:

"Were that the case, he'd be very sick for a brief time. Food poisoning doesn't ‘linger'. Neither is it exacerbated by physical activity. You find yourself bent over a toilet until it passes."


We likely won't have official details until the Leafs' run ends, which could happen tonight, as they face elimination.

Source: Hockey Feed - Reports that Matthews may be out with a concussion
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Concussion: Worrying rumor concerning Auston Matthews

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