Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe announced star Auston Matthews will miss his first game of the season Wednesday against the Nashville Predators, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
Matthews is dealing with an undisclosed injury. He participated in the optional skate Wednesday morning after not practicing Tuesday.
Keefe said that Matthews' ailment has "been bothering him for a while," according to SI Media Group's David Alter.
The 25-year-old has 20 goals and 47 points in 41 games this season.
William Nylander is expected to play center and Pierre Engvall is set to join the Maple Leafs' top six in Matthews' absence based on yesterday's lines at practice, per the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. Bobby McMann is anticipated to make his NHL debut.
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