The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a bit longer to get their No. 1 centre back.
Although Auston Matthews was a full participant at Monday’s practice for the first time since re-aggravating an upper-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 20, head coach Craig Berube confirmed that the two-time All-Star would not be available against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Since his injury, Matthews has missed four games as the Leafs have gone 1-3 while allowing 21 goals and at least five per contest.
The current stretch is the second significant layoff of the season for the 27-year-old, who also missed nine consecutive games in November.
Matthews, who scored 69 goals to win the Rocket Richard Trophy last season, has 11 markers and 12 assists in 24 games this season.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs said defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was absent from practice due to illness.
The Swede has skated in all 37 games to date in his first season with the Maple Leafs, compiling one goal and 12 assists.
Toronto returns to the ice for a Tuesday matinée against the Islanders in the first half of a home-and-home set that concludes Thursday.
