Maple Leafs News: Keefe Provides an Intriguing Auston Matthews Update

The Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling pretty good about themselves right about now, having displayed back-to-back gutsy performances to fight back and even their series with the Boston Bruins, setting up a Game 7 Saturday night.

But Leafs Nation, of course, would be on an even bigger high going into that do-or-die contest if superstar Auston Matthews was available to suit up. As everyone in the hockey world knows by now, he was forced to sit out Games 5 and 6 due to a mystery ailment that also kept him out of the third period of Game 4.

Although Matthews has been seen doing some light skates before his teammates' full practices in recent days, on Friday comes a bit more of a hopeful assessment from head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Sheldon Keefe says there has been some “progress” in Auston Matthews, who skated today. No determination on his availability for Game 7.
— David Alter (@dalter) May 3, 2024

Keefe stated there has been some "progress" for the 69-goal scorer, who, once again, was on the ice Friday morning. But he stopped short of giving any definitive ruling on Matthews' availability for Game 7.

For what it's worth, Paul Bissonnette of Spittin' Chiclets said today on the Pat McAfee show that, "It looks potentially like Auston Matthews could be ready to go.. they could get their dog back."

Yes, the Leafs are actually 3-0 without Matthews in the lineup this season, but...

We need to stop the madness right now.

The Maple Leafs are unequivocally better off with a healthy Auston Matthews in their lineup.

If you do not believe that, I suggest you log off Xwitter, walk outside, reach down towards the nearest grass, and embrace reality once more.
— Playoff Hockey 🏒 DJ! (@dj_mitchell94) May 3, 2024

The Leafs rode the two goals of William Nylander, and tremendous play once again between the pipes by Joseph Woll, plus an all-around team effort, to a 2-1 victory to send the series back to Boston for the deciding game. The Bruins, by the way, are 0-6 in their last six potential series-clinching games.