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Auston Matthews will not play in NHL All-Star Game due to injury

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews will not be on the ice at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews will not be on the ice at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Auston Matthews will not be repeating his crowd-pleasing performance at the NHL All-Star Game this weekend as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ superstar forward will miss the event due to a nagging injury.

The NHL released a statement on Wednesday evening confirming Matthews’ absence from the event, announcing that Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk will fill the open spot on the Atlantic Division roster.

Matthews was a hit at last year’s game when he played to the hometown San Jose audience by donning a Patrick Marleau jersey during the skills competition. The 22-year-old is having a strong season with the Maple Leafs, sitting tied for second in the NHL with 34 goals and 11th with 57 points in 49 contests. He has been named an all-star in each of his four seasons in the league.

His replacement, Tkachuk, has potted 15 goals and 27 points in 47 games this season. He joins his brother Matthew from the Calgary Flames at the event and both will be making their first appearance as all-stars.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Matthews is not expected to miss any regular season games. He was reportedly training at his home in Arizona upon making the decision to withdraw from this weekend’s festivities. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the injury is a wrist issue, and that it has been bothering the forward for upwards of three weeks.

Despite not appearing on the ice, Matthews is still expected to be in attendance in St. Louis.

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