Auston Matthews is not playing tonight as the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be managing his health cautiously. Matthews has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that he sustained during training camp last season, which impacted his performance and caused him to miss multiple games. While he is reported to be healthy and confident heading into the 2025-26 season, the Leafs have decided to give him a night off as a precaution to avoid aggravating any issues as the season progresses. This approach reflects the team's willingness to manage player health carefully after Matthews' tough injury-affected prior season.

Matthews himself has said he feels good after a productive summer and is focused on managing his health throughout the season. The Maple Leafs aim to keep him in optimal condition for the long haul, especially without star winger Mitch Marner now on another team.