Maple Leafs star centre Auston Matthews to miss fourth game with injury

TORONTO – Injured Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews will miss a fourth straight game tonight when Toronto hosts the New Jersey Devils.

The 20-year-old participated in the optional morning skate but Leafs coach Mike Babcock confirmed post practice that Matthews will sit out the game as he continues to deal with an upper-body injury.

Matthews wasn’t made available to speak.

There was speculation Matthews, who has 10 goals and nine assists in 16 games, might be fit to face the Devils after he returned to practice Wednesday. He participated in all team drills on his regular line alongside wingers Zach Hyman and William Nylander.

Toronto has played well without its young star. The Maple Leafs have won four in a row, the last three victories coming without Matthews.

“We know we don’t have to force him in right now, which is great, so we don’t have to rush him which could make it worse,” said Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen after morning skate.

Patrick Marleau, who has played centre in Matthews’ absence, is expected to stay in the middle.

Nikita Soshnikov, recalled from the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies earlier this week, will make his season debut on the wing, with Josh Leivo being scratched.