Auston Matthews Reports Playoffs Issues as Matthew Tkachuk Finally 100% in Florida-Toronto

It looks like Biz Nasty’s concerns are soon becoming a reality. While he wanted the captain to be on the offensive side with Game 4 approaching, there’s a noticeable shift in how certain Toronto Maple Leafs players are preparing behind the scenes now. And with the anticipation building quite high for tonight’s showdown, questions are quietly swirling around Auston Matthews’s presence on ice. Wait, will the captain be missing the game tonight? Well, only time will have the answer for this concern but what’s evident is that the Leafs, especially under the forecheck pressure of the Florida Panthers, can’t afford to have anything less than full strength.

It was Leafs’ latest media dropping the bombshell on X! With a bright red exclamatory mark that alerts the fans and the entire NHL community, the post read, “Auston Matthews opts to rest again this morning instead of practicing for the second time this postseason but will be good to go tonight.” While Matthews didn’t show up for the morning skate, concerning everyone for his state, another update that mostly stresses the Maple Leafs fans is the return of the Panthers’ aggressive leader, Matthew Tkachuk, who is better in terms of health and ready to tackle the upcoming hassle! But hey, will the fans be seeing something extraordinary tonight—one leader stepping in while the other one steps out?

Auston Matthews opts to rest again this morning instead of practicing for the second time this postseason, but will be good to go tonight.

Matthews (not confirmed) is clearly battling something* and is choosing rest over practice as the hard playoff games build up.

Thoughts… pic.twitter.com/5xeUKCKssC

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 11, 2025

Probably yes, because there’s a growing concern with what the post stated further! “Matthews (not confirmed) is clearly battling something and is choosing rest over practice as the hard playoff games build up. Thoughts on the situation going in with 3⃣4⃣ ,” the Leafslatest wrote. While the captain’s physical condition isn’t revealed entirely, the battling something, perhaps, strongly suggests something is worth concerning about. After all, with the pressure becoming high and the Leafs already losing a big one in Game 3, losing Matthews is not something that they can afford right now.

However, there’s concern along similar lines for the Panthers too, who now welcome their teammate back but aren’t 100% sure if the team can rely on Tkachuk. Because after suffering from a severe groin injury during the Four Nations Face-Off, the Panthers’ alternate captain ended up missing their last 25 games of the regular season. Even the head coach expressed his concern over whether Tkachuk would be able to make it to the playoffs or not. But it looks like he does. “I’m physically feeling great. … I’m happy to be out there with the guys. There’s nothing better,” Matthew Tkachuk recently shared. While this might bother the Maple Leafs fans about their own leader missing the morning skate, here are updates from the Maple Leafs locker room that bring in some positive updates.

What is the Maple Leafs’ locker room saying about Auston Matthews’ injury?

Well, things look fine here. Starting with Chris Tanev, who himself seems to have been sidelined due to a possible injury, nevertheless, he brings in a cheerful update regarding this concerning scenario. “He’s our captain. He’s our leader, and he’s been an incredible player for us. I expect him to be the same tonight. He’s gonna show up and be great for us,” the defenseman said while clearly reflecting the strength of their team. Even Matthews Knies made it clear by declaring, “I’m not too worried about him.” After all, they are confident about their leader, who is—“He’s doing the right things. He’s getting looks.”

And when the head coach themselves takes it lightly, you know things aren’t as concerning as they seem, right? Hence, Craig Berube seemed confident when he said, “I mean, it is what it is. Like, yeah, he needs to hit the net.” While the air in the Maple Leafs locker room looks fresh and clear, their confidence speaks louder. Because with Game 4 looming, it isn’t only the tensions rising around the Leafs on their internal struggles but how the opponents try to expose their most vulnerable spot too!

Hence, with questions swirling around Auston Matthews’ condition and the fact that he chose to rest over practice again, it shouldn’t be a matter of concern now that the entire team seems confident about their captain. Rather, what should be the matter of concern or, let’s say, a matter of joy for all the fans and spectators should be the excitement and thrill surrounding Game 4 that will turn into a critical test of resilience and response under pressure. What do you think?

The post Auston Matthews Reports Playoffs Issues as Matthew Tkachuk Finally 100% in Florida-Toronto appeared first on EssentiallySports.