Matthews, who is Maple Leafs captain, did not participate in a full morning skate prior to the game against the Sabres on Dec. 20 but scored and played 19:18. He took two hard hits in the game, one from Sabres forward Tage Thompson in the first period and a cross-check from defenseman Dennis Gilbert in the third period, though he finished the game.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed Auston Matthews on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 20, where he aggravated an upper-body injury which forced him to miss most of November. Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews has been placed on IR (upper body) retroactive to December 20. D Marshall Rifai has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL).