Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews missed Sunday's morning skate ahead of Game 4 against the Panthers, leaving his status in doubt.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has stepped in following the chaotic conclusion to Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, issuing a costly financial penalty to one of Auston Matthews’ teammates.

Auston Matthews has not been the same dominant player he was during the regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain has sputtered at times, and it has cost the Leafs heavily in the last two contests. This has led hockey insider, David Alter, to believe that Matthews may not be healthy. Alter said (10:11) on First Up:

The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to generate any goals in a 2-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series. When Toronto's loaded offense is held off the scoresheet, the finger generally gets pointed at the top players,

The reigning champion Florida Panthers attempt to even their Eastern Conference second-round series at two wins apiece when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs as the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue Sunday. In a Western Conference matchup, the Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets visit the Dallas Stars for Game 3 with the series even at 1-1.

Auston Matthews skipped the morning skate again ahead of Game 4, and fans are starting to wonder: is something up, or is this just strategic load management? It’s the second time this postseason that Matthews has opted out of practice.