The Toronto Maple Leafs lost more than just the game tonight against the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately, they also lost their captain Auston Matthews and starting goalie Anthony Stolarz to injury.
On top of that, they’re now on a three-game losing streak and look nothing like the team they were last season. Now, they’re going to have to navigate the injuries that have started to pile up. It’s like the old saying: when it rains, it pours.
Let’s start with Matthews. He was injured on a hard hit from Nikita Zadorov. The hit came from behind and he looked to slam into the boards, but he was too far away for it to be called boarding. Still, he was in a vulnerable position with his back to the play. Matthews got back up and tried to throw a hit at Zadorov, finished his shift, then went to the bench and straight to the dressing room.
After the game, head coach Craig Berube said he will be evaluated. He also shared his thoughts on the hit:
“I think it’s a penalty, personally, but I’m not the referee. I don’t like it. I don’t like the hit. He’s in a vulnerable position. So, whatever, nothing I can do about it.”
As for Stolarz, he left the game in the first period after being pulled. He allowed three goals on 11 shots and was chased from the game. However, after being pulled, he never returned to the bench. That sparked a lot of debate on social media and even from the broadcast team, who wondered where he went and why he wasn’t back. In the third period, the Maple Leafs announced he had an upper-body injury and wouldn’t return. After the game, Berube said it was just a tweak and he doesn’t believe it to be serious. If he does miss Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, it’ll be interesting to see if Joseph Woll gets called up from his conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
Now, as the Maple Leafs try to navigate this rough stretch, they’ll also need to figure out how to compete without their captain, who could miss time. This might open the door for a player like Easton Cowan to get called back up and show what he can do. First, though, we’ll have to see what happens over the next few days.
“Despite lighting up the scoreboard with 12 goals, Cole Caufield could miss out on the Olympics. A shocking snub, considering his stellar season and clutch scoring abilities.”
Montreal Canadiens’ sniper Cole Caufield has been one of the league’s most prolific goal-scorers this season, sitting second overall with 12 goals and on pace to smash his career highs. But according to Pierre LeBrun on RDS, if Team USA’s roster were chosen today, Caufield wouldn’t make the cut. This is a surprising decision, especially considering his impressive stats and the fact that he’s the top American scorer in the league.
The news is a blow to the 24-year-old, who’s currently on track for 62 goals and 92 points—numbers that would set new personal bests. With injuries sidelining both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, one might expect a spot to open up for Caufield, but it seems the door remains closed.
The issue isn’t just about stats. The Olympic game is a different beast from NHL play. While Caufield thrives in the gritty, fast-paced NHL, the Olympics feature a more controlled, penalty-heavy game, which may not suit his style. The Americans have solidified their top six forwards, but Caufield’s past chemistry with Jack Hughes, particularly in the National Team Development Program, might have warranted a different approach.
Should Team USA struggle offensively without him, the decision to leave Caufield off the roster will be difficult to defend. After all, the Canadiens’ star has proven himself as both a prolific and clutch scorer, setting franchise records and consistently delivering game-winners. With his newfound all-around game—featuring relentless forechecking, sharp skating, and an active stick—Caufield has become a threat both offensively and defensively.
For the Canadiens, Caufield’s potential Olympic snub could actually be a blessing in disguise, giving him extra rest during February’s Olympic break. But mentally, how will this affect the star forward? If history is any indicator, Caufield will likely use the snub as motivation to continue his remarkable season, though you can bet he’ll still have Olympic dreams.