The Detroit Red Wings beat a Toronto Maple Leafs team that was without 20-goal scorer Auston Matthews on Thursday. Matthews missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe will only admit it’s an ongoing issue that has plagued the 2021-22 Hart Trophy winner for some time.
My guess based on everything that has been mentioned is that it stems from this (uncalled) cross-examination by Jamie Benn on October 20th. He was in noticeable discomfort that night and immediately after, and everything lines up by description.
(Original clip: @TicTacTOmar) pic.twitter.com/8ORJIC6lLp
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) January 11, 2023
Some Toronto writers have suggested it could stem from a cross-check Matthews took from Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn earlier this season. If so, Red Wings and Leafs fans may find themselves in the unusual position of keeping pace when it comes to their disdain for Ben.
It was Benn’s cross-examination that led to the season-ending neck injury suffered by Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin in 2021.
Oddly enough, Benn’s brother, defenseman Jordy Benn, plays for the Leafs.
Crow sits one out
While the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins played the Iowa Wild on Wednesday, Jakub Vrana was absent. The Red Wings forward, assigned to GR last week after clearing NHL waivers, was a healthy scratch. Vrana’s starter, Kyle Criscuolo, scored a goal as the Griffins lost 5-2.
The official reason for Vrana’s absence is the AHL’s veteran rule. AHL teams are permitted to field only five non-goalies with 320 or more NHL, AHL or elite European league games played. However, the bottom line is that if Vrana played well, he wouldn’t be the guy the Griffins scratched.
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde opted to defer to Griffins coach Ben Simon when it came to the Crow’s healthy scratch.
“We’ll talk about anything, but when it comes to his team, it’s his team,” Lalonde said.
Red Wings in case you missed it
Red Wings Next game
The poor Columbus Blue Jackets, who are at the bottom of the NHL’s Eastern Conference at 12-27-2, visit Little Caesars Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET).
Hockey Now Network
San Jose: The San Jose Sharks are on a historically bad streak when it comes to one-goal losses.
Vegas: Mark Stone (upper body) suffered an injury as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers.
Colorado: The NHL’s worst team, the Chicago Blackhawks, beat the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. Is it time to panic yet?
Calgary: Rookie Walker Duerr scored his first NHL goal as the Calgary Flames beat St. Louis.
Islanders: The New York Islanders showed their frustration after a shrinking lead led to a fourth straight loss.
Washington: Is the situation between the Washington Capitals and former Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha irreparable?
Philadelphia: Coach John Tortorella is removing all iPads from the Philadelphia Flyers bench.
Florida: There are many family ties involving the Florida Panthers claiming Casey Fitzgerald off waivers.
Boston: Former Red Wings forward Thomas Nosek is playing through injury for the Boston Bruins.
Pittsburgh: Will the Pittsburgh Penguins’ thin blue line get any thinner?
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