<a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Toronto Maple Leafs </a> held a team practice this morning, and Auston Matthews was missing, which likely signals he could continue to be out of the lineup. Auston <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/leafs-auston-matthews-has-suffered-an-injury-and-is-out-for-tonight-game-against-the-bruins' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews missed Tuesday's game against the Boston Bruins</a> due to an upper-body injury, and the Toronto Maple Leafs labeled him day-to-day. He was not on the ice Thursday as the team prepared for its upcoming contests. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1854552613494079771'> </a></blockquote></div> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/DaveAMcCarthy/status/1854553665245483109'> </a></blockquote></div> With Matthews being out with injury, in came Max <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-day-to-day-with-upper-body-injury/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Domi up the middle on the first line</a> as Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner flanked him. That, too, was how things shook out at practice as Domi's stay on the first line looks like it will continue if Matthews isn't good to go <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/schedule' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Friday against the Wings in Detroit or Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens</a>. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nickbarden/status/1854558475281449339'> </a></blockquote></div> Head coach <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/player/Craig-Berube-663' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Craig Berube</a> explained that Matthews' injury is unrelated to the wrist ailments he has dealt with in recent years. Though his scoring was off to a much quieter pace than it was last season, five goals in 13 games, compared to 13 through 13 a year ago, Matthews nonetheless remains a key member of Toronto's attack. «No, nothing to do with that,» the head coach said. <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/don-cherry-absolutely-rips-into-the-leafs-regarding-auston-matthews-captaincy' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Matthews was named captain of the Maple Leafs</a> on Aug. 14, succeeding John Tavares. He led the NHL with 69 goals in 81 games last season to win <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/trophies.php?no=11' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>his third Rocket Richard Trophy</a>. Matthews also signed a four-year, $53 million contract this season, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL at $13.25 million in average annual value. The 25-year-old Matthews has compiled 373 goals and 287 assists in 575 games with Toronto. He has added 48 points in 55 postseason appearances. He means a great deal to the team, and his return is being hoped for by his team and their fans as their season goes along.