Matthews, Tanev, Joshua all listed as injured for Leafs ahead of game against Devils

TORONTO — The banged-up Toronto Maple Leafs are without captain Auston Matthews for their game against the visiting New Jersey Devils.

The Leafs announced just before Tuesday’s game that Matthews would miss the contest with a lower-body injury and is out day-to-day. Earlier in the day Toronto called Matthews a “game-time decision.”

Matthews temporarily left Toronto’s 3-2 overtime loss to Detroit on Saturday after blocking a shot.

The star centre has had a down year by his standards with 15 goals and 12 assists in 33 games. But his offence had picked up of late with a goal and three assists in Toronto’s last two contests.

The Maple Leafs also played without defenceman Chris Tanev and forward Dakota Joshua against the Devils. Tanev, who has already missed 23 games this season with an upper-body injury, is out with a lower-body ailment.

Joshua sustained an injury after getting hit in the loss to the Red Wings. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said after Tuesday’s practice that the forward is still in Detroit and the injury may be to his kidney.

Berube also said forward William Nylander remains out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Toronto recalled forwards Matt Benning and Jacob Quillan from the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies to help address the injuries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2025.