Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Petr Mrazek out two weeks; Auston Matthews returns to full practice

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Oct 17, 2021

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Petr Mrazak is expected to be sidelined two weeks with a groin injury, coach Sheldon Keefe said. Meanwhile, some good news today as Auston Matthews is back to full practice. He could make his season debut against the New York Rangers on Monday.

Maple Leafs Mrazek groin injury will keep him out two weeks

Mrazek sustained injury during the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 loss to the Senators in Ottawa on Thursday and it will sideline him for a couple of weeks.

University of Toronto goaltender Alex Bishop signed a one-day amateur tryout to serve as the backup in the return match versus the Senators on Saturday. Jack Campbell made the start and made 20 saves in the 3-1 win.

Goaltender Michael Hutchinson is expected to participate in practice on Sunday. He was called up from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis on Sunday morning.

Mrazek, 29, allowed three goals on 26 shots on Thursday in his first game since signing a three-year, $11.4 million contract with the Maple Leafs in the summer.

He owns a 128-97-31 record with 24 shutouts, a 2.60 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 276 career appearances (251 starts) with the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Maple Leafs.

Auston Matthews back at practice

auston matthews wrist
May 22, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

At the start of the season, Keefe said Auston Matthews would miss the first three games of the season as he continues to recover from wrist surgery.

Toronto opened the season last Wednesday at home against Montreal, then played a back to back against the Senators, which they split with a win on Saturday.

That timeline had Matthews set to play this Monday against the Rangers. There was some doubt about his debut as the Leafs will have three days off after that game and could’ve held him out just a little longer. However; Matthews did finish practice and believes he will play tomorrow.

Update: Keefe confirms Matthews will play versus the Rangers.

–Field Level Media contributed to this report

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