Maple Leafs' Star To Miss Game vs Predators

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their star forward Auston Matthews for the game against the Nashville Predators. Reports are that Matthews is dealing with an undisclosed injury and "it has been bothering him for a while", Sheldon Keefe said.

Matthews didn't practice on Tuesday, but was present for the morning skate on Wednesday. It was decided he will miss his first game of the season.

The Predators come into the matchup having won four games in a row while the Maple Leafs are on a two-game win streak. Matthews has 20 goals and 47 points in 41 games this season after a 60-goal campaign in 2021-22.

William Nylander is expected to slide over to centre, Pierre Engvall will take Nylander's spot on the right wing, while Bobby McMann is set to make his NHL debut on the third line. The Maple Leafs won't have an easy time getting by the red hot Predators, but they are at home where they have a record of 14-3-4. The Predators are 10-8-3 on the road this season.

It is unclear how many games Matthews will miss, but the Maple Leafs' next matchup after the Predators comes the following day against the Detroit Red Wings for the second time in four games.