Maple Leafs News: The Latest on Auston Matthews Ahead of Game 6

The big question around the Toronto Maple Leafs heading into Game 6 on Thursday night against the Boston Bruins continues to be 'What's up with Auston Matthews?' He didn't play in Toronto's Game 5 win to stave off elimination, after being pulled in the 3rd period of Game 4.

And it's official now: The Leafs superstar will NOT play Thursday night.

Auston Matthews is OUT for Game 6, per Sheldon Keefe. pic.twitter.com/jI3brNcgyN
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2024

But we're learning now that it appears that what began as an "illness" has morphed into something more serious.

From The Point, here's what I know about Auston Matthews - who is likely out again for Game 6. pic.twitter.com/CkAlYu7FJU
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 2, 2024

ESPN's Emily Kaplan is reporting that Matthews did indeed have an illness, but while he was playing through it, "something else happened that's more significant that's keeping him out."

Matthews did skate today, for about 30 minutes before the team's full practice, but this mystery ailment will keep him out of his second straight game, making the Leafs' attempts to square off this series at three games apiece that much more difficult.

Matthews set a career and Toronto franchise high with 69 goals this season, and single-handedly won Game 2 of this series for the Leafs, but who knows when—or if—we'll see him in action again this season.