Craig Berube confirmed a recently made suspicion by The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke about the health status of Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews.

The Leafs placed their captain on injured reserve on November 8th with an unknown upper-body injury. What was initially ‘not serious’ according to head coach Craig Berube eventually led to travelling over seas for treatment.

Eventually, the 2016 first-overall pick revealed it had been nagging him since the pre-season.

On Thursday, The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke was on ‘The Real Kyper and Bourne’ show discussing the Leafs’ 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars and felt felt that something was hindering Matthews, particularly on Sam Steel’s first period goal.

After missing practice Friday morning, Craig Berube was asked about Matthews’ health and revealed that he is indeed still nursing an injury.

“It’s tough. He’s fighting through it, and he’s doing a pretty good job out there on the ice. He’s producing and playing hard and working, and we just gotta manage it. It’ll get better. We just gotta manage it. And that’s why he’s off the ice today.”

Berube didn’t specify if it was related to his previous injury, but given Kloke’s assessment, it appears to be some sort of lower-body injury this time. With the Leafs firmly in a playoff spot, leading the Atlantic Division and with the Leafs having plenty of healthy bodies, including the recently demoted Fraser Minten, fans have questioned as to why Matthews continues to play instead of resting and coming back fully heathy.

As the Leafs prepare for three games in four nights, with a back-to-back to begin, it will be interesting to see if Matthews is given a game or two off for an extended break before the Leafs resume their schedule on the other side of the Christmas break.