Maple Leafs' Awkward Schedule Surprisingly Helps Auston Matthews' Recovery Timeline

It's not easy to play four games in six days, regardless if you're a pro athlete or playing amateur sports. The toll it takes on your body both physically and mentally shows why toughness doesn't always have to be shown on the ice.

The Maple Leafs played four games in six days, and while it's been tough for Toronto to bring back their captain in that span, as it hasn't given him time to really get some rest before making a decision; but it's also a great thing too oddly:

Toronto now gets themselves a break, only having 3 games in just under two weeks. It's a good sign for Auston Matthews too.

Given the fact that he hasn't had the chance to have more than a day or two to gauge how he feels, it's hard for him to get back. Now though, given that they have a few days in between games it'll give both Matthews and the team a better chance to figure out a timeline.

Matthews has had a slow start to the year before the injury, only scoring five goals but he was still playing fantastic hockey regardless. Toronto has done well in their captain's absence going 4-1-0 and having a very strong comeback win over Washington on Wednesday night thanks to John Tavares' heroics.

A lot of flak has been given to the Leafs' schedule and for good reason. They have 16 back-to-back games this season including a bunch in December, which while great for fans who love hockey, it's hard for the players to properly recover in between games. This sport is as taxing on the body as ever, and even though it's not as physical it's much, much faster.

This awkward schedule means that Toronto has to play a staggered amount of games where weeks will have one game and the next will have four.

It's a tough way to play the season out but if it gives Matthews a chance to recover and make an impact once again, perhaps against Edmonton on Saturday, then time is the best asset they currently have.