The Maple Leafs are in a bit of a waiting game when it comes to their captain, Auston Matthews, and his return to the lineup.
Originally, the plan was for Matthews to join the team in Tampa on Tuesday, gearing up for their clash with the Lightning on Wednesday. However, those plans shifted after the U.S. men's hockey team clinched gold at the Winter Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in a thrilling overtime finish in Milan.
With the victory, President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Team USA to attend the State of the Union address in Washington on Tuesday night, and a potential White House visit is also on the cards. This development has left the Leafs uncertain about Matthews' availability.
The American team, navigating a major snowstorm in the New York City area, was rerouted to Miami from Italy on Monday. Matthews commented on the situation after the game, acknowledging the complexity of their travel plans: “I think there’s a lot of moving parts as far as our travels back home, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Leafs took Monday off and are set to practice on Tuesday at the Ford Performance Centre before heading to Tampa in the afternoon. Coach Craig Berube is expected to provide an update on Matthews' status before the team departs.
In the thick of the Eastern Conference race, the Leafs find themselves six points shy of the final wildcard spot and nine points behind third place in the Atlantic Division. Matthews' presence is crucial, especially considering his leadership role as captain in Milan.
If Matthews can't suit up on Wednesday, the expectation is that he will be ready to play against the Panthers in Florida on Thursday. The Leafs will be eagerly awaiting clarity on their captain's return, as his impact on the ice is undeniable.