Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Confirms What Many Suspected About His Health Status

Just one year removed from a league-leading 69 goals scored and fresh off of his 3rd Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 4 years, it's been a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde season for Auston Matthews in 2024-25.

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain scored 33 goals in 67 games played, dealt with a myriad of injuries throughout the season, and has delivered goose eggs during the second round of the playoffs for the second time in his career.

Even based on the eye-test, you can tell there's something wrong with Matthews, but it's hard to pin-poiint exactly what it is. He's not as sharp or dangerous as we know he can be and he's missing the net at a league-leading pace.

Based on his season and even factoring in his mysterious trip to Germany earlier in the year, it should come as no surprise that he's dealing with some sort of injury. The captain all but confirmed that earlier today as reported by Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Matthews added that at this point in the year, there aren't many people who are 100% and that everyone is pushing through something, including himself.

It's been a tale of two series' during the post-season with 2 goals and 5 assists in his first 6 games against the Ottawa Senators but just 3 assists in the first 5 games of the second round against Florida, which includes back-to-back goose eggs in Games 4 and 5.

He's still firing at will, but the biggest issue is that he's missing the net way too much. Through 11 games this spring, Matthews has 81 shot attempts but only 41 have made their way towards the net and only 2 of them have beaten a goalie. This series alone, Matthews has missed 18 of the 38 shots he's attempted.

If the Maple Leafs want to have any chance of making a comeback against the Panthers, they're going to need Matthews to lead the way as both captain and as an offensive weapon. If he can find the back of the net tonight, that would go a long way for both the player and the team in their bid to keep their playoff hopes alive.