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, shooting into an empty net before tapping his stick gently on the top of the boards and leaving the ice.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters after the skate that Matthews was working through some things to play but there was no determination on his status for the game and that it's "always the doctor's call." Keefe also said that it is more than just an illness that Matthews is dealing with.
Matthews was not at practice Monday morning but 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+.
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