Toronto Maple Leafs star centre Auston Matthews kept fans guessing during the team’s optional morning skate on Tuesday ahead of Game 5 against the Boston Bruins.
The team’s leading goal scorer made a brief appearance before he left the ice, according to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
Matthews was not at practice Monday morning but head coach Sheldon Keefe was hopeful that he would be available to play in the team’s must-win game.
Down by multiple goals at home in Game 4 and trailing in the first-round series, the Rocket Richard Trophy winner did not return for the third period against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. The team later announced he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Matthews had 14:16 of ice time across the first two periods.
Keefe told reporters on Sunday that the illness that saw the centre pulled by doctors is “lingering.”
The Maple Leafs lost 3-1 and trail the series by the same margin. Game 5 in Boston is set for Tuesday night and can be seen on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
