Auston Matthews injury update: MRI coming on shoulder

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews is set for an MRI after suffering a shoulder injury.

Auston Matthews sustained a shoulder injury against the New York Islanders, just moments after scoring a late tying goal.

He is now set to undergo an MRI scan to assess the severity of the injury.

Young phenom Matthews scored a late goal – his 28^th of the season – on Thursday night.

With the Maple Leafs down 3-2, he pounced with a deft deflection that ricocheted into the net.

But on his very next shift, Matthews was caught in an awkward-looking collision. He carried the puck into the Islanders’ zone and cut toward the middle of the ice. As he did so, he was sandwiched between New York’s Cal Clutterbuck and Adam Pelech.

Following the hit, Matthews returned to the bench and was visibly shaken. After some attention from the Leafs trainers, he left the bench and did not return to the game. Matthews did not feature in the overtime period or the shootout for the Leafs.

Toronto went on to win the game in the shootout, thanks to a snipe from Tyler Bozak.

But the win came at a cost for the Leafs, with the injury to Auston Matthews putting a dampener on celebrations.

Once he has had the MRI, more will be known about the extent of the injury and the recovery time-frame.

Leafs fans, coaches and teammates will be keeping their fingers crossed that the injury is not serious. Matthews has been star since first stepping onto NHL ice. The 20 year-old scored 40 goals in his rookie season and won the Calder Trophy.

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This season he has 28 goals and 50 points in 53 games, and propels the Toronto offense. Any injury will come as a significant blow to the Maple Leafs playoff preparations.