The Toronto Maple Leafs may be without Auston Matthews for Tuesday's must-win Game 5 against the Boston Bruins.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters Monday that the star center's status is "yet to be determined," though he's "hopeful" that Matthews will feel well enough to play, per The Hockey News' David Alter.

Matthews was absent from practice. Max Domi centered the top line between Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner.

Team doctors pulled Matthews prior to the third period of Saturday's 3-1 Game 4 loss due to illness.

Keefe explained Sunday that the sniper's illness has "lingered" and worsens when he takes to the ice. He battled through it in Game 3 but ended up missing Friday's practice, in which Connor Dewar served as a placeholder on the top line.

Matthews has been held off the scoresheet in three games of the first-round series. In Toronto's Game 2 victory, he dazzled with an impressive three-point performance that included the winning tally.

The Maple Leafs were already without winger William Nylander for the first three games as he reportedly dealt with a severe migraine. He didn't register a point in his series debut Saturday.

Puck drops on Game 5 on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET in Boston with the Bruins leading the series 3-1.

Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.