Maple Leafs' Matthews out at least 3 weeks, to miss all-star game with knee sprain
Toronto captain John Tavares takes over as top-line centre in practice
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews will miss at least three weeks with a knee sprain, the team announced Friday.
The 25-year-old centre has 25 goals and 53 points in 47 contests this season.
Matthews missed two games earlier this month with an undisclosed injury and an illness.
The team said in a tweet the injury was suffered during that game.
"[He is] such a big part of our team and one of the best players in the world," Toronto captain John Tavares said of Matthews. "Hopefully he gets back here as quick as possible. He'll do everything that needs to be done to do that and be ready to play."
Injury update: <br><br>Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews will be out of the lineup for a minimum of three weeks due to a knee sprain suffered in Wednesday’s game vs. NYR.
—@LeafsPRTavares skated between Marner and Michael Bunting at Friday's morning skate, while Pontus Holmberg centred William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok.
"For us as a team, we have to come together and, not really try and fill the void, but just play to our team identity and what's made us successful," Tavares added. "We've shown good depth throughout throughout the season."
"[There is an] opportunity for other guys to step up."
The injury will prevent Matthews from taking part in next week's NHL all-star game in Florida. The NHL announced Friday that Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov will replace Matthews on the Atlantic Division roster.
