Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed the game against the New York Islanders on December 21, 2024, due to an undisclosed injury.

Coach Craig Berube revealed that Matthews sustained a cross-check to the back during a previous game against the Buffalo Sabres, which the Maple Leafs won 6-3.

Matthews had recently returned from missing nine games last month due to an upper-body injury that required treatment in Germany.

When questioned about Matthews' current injury, Berube indicated that it could be related to his previous injury, stating it was 'a little bit of both.'

Despite skipping the morning skate prior to the Buffalo game, Matthews managed to score against the Sabres, bringing his season totals to 11 goals and 12 assists in 24 games.

Ryan Reaves and Connor Dewar filled in the lineup against the Islanders in place of Matthews and Pontus Holmberg, who also did not play.