In his end-of-season interview, Treliving disclosed that Matthews was sidelined due to a virus and displayed symptoms of a head injury after a hit in Game 4. Consequently, Matthews wasn't cleared to return to the lineup until Game 7.
This information aligns with what Matthews himself revealed in his recent end-of-season media availability. With William Nylander also missing games, the Leafs faced an uphill battle against the Bruins, who capitalized on the absence of key players.
Many Leafs fans are left pondering whether the series outcome would have been different had Matthews been available for all games. Despite the challenges, the Leafs managed to push the series to a seventh game, showcasing their resilience.
