Former NHL Player Sparks Major Concerns Over Potential Injury to Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
With Auston Matthews still doing his best to help the Maple Leafs, one former NHL player believes the captain is dealing with yet another injury that's bothering him.
If the Maple Leafs want to make sure they have the best chance possible, they need to stay healthy. Dealing with injuries all year long, the team has weathered through many storms in order to keep fighting for Atlantic Division supremacy.
Twice they had to deal with injuries to their captain, Auston Matthews. He's since been able to play regularly, though there were concerns he was dealing with something during the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, a new perspective has shown that maybe he's still dealing with an injury.
Former NHL player Jordan Schmaltz believes that Matthews is currently dealing with another ailment and hasn't looked quite the same player of old:
Auston Matthews has to be playing thru some sort of LBI at the moment. 34 doesn't have his pop that he usually has that makes him one of the best 2-3 players in the league.
It's nails he's playing through whatever he is and gutting it out despite being 100%. Something I noticed last night sitting on the glass eh.
It's nails he's playing through whatever he is and gutting it out despite being 100%. Something I noticed last night sitting on the glass eh.
Auston Matthews: Hat-Trick of Injuries?
A lot of the supposed pop that Schmaltz is referring to does involve a majority of the players using their lower body and core in order to generate the most power and quickness.
Without that, Matthews won't be able to get that lightning quick release if he doesn't feel comfortable initially. He's done well for himself this season, and had a 12-game point streak though that was snapped against Utah on Monday.
This season, even with the injuries, Matthews has 56 points in 49 games (23G, 33A) and recently took over second all-time for Maple Leafs in goals behind only Mats Sundin.
But if this is something to be concerned about, he's at three injuries this season. How does that play out come playoff time where everything is intensified tenfold?
It's certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, and if Matthews is a step or two behind, don't be alarmed to hear Craig Berube say he's day to day.
Which is the worst news possible for Toronto.
| POLL | ||
MARS 12 | 535 ANSWERS Former NHL Player Sparks Major Concerns Over Potential Injury to Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Is Auston Matthews dealing with yet another injury for the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 469 | 87.7 % |
| No | 66 | 12.3 % |
| List of polls | ||