Maple Leafs place captain Matthews on injured reserve, recall Rifai from Marlies

By Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press on December 31, 2024.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs are placing captain Auston Matthews on the injured reserve list with an upper-body injury.

The move, which is retroactive to Dec. 20, comes a couple hours before the Maple Leafs’ matinee against the New York Islanders.

A team spokesman says Matthews has not experienced any setbacks, adding the IR move allows the club to recall a player.

Matthews, who has battled the unspecified upper-body issue throughout the season, last played on Dec. 20. He has 11 goals and 12 assists over 24 games this season.

The Leafs also say that defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and forward Pontus Homberg will miss the game due to illness.

Defenceman Marshall Rifai is being recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2024.

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