Auston Matthews’ longer absence and Leafs’ struggles force major shake-up in Toronto

Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, Toronto’s struggles continue to mount as they dropped their fourth straight game on Thursday night, falling to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime.

The Leafs had to play without captain Auston Matthews, and will have to do so until at least Nov. 18 as the team announced on Friday that the superstar has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 11 (out at least through Nov. 18).

Consequently, Toronto had to made some significant lineup changes, starting with the call-up of rookie forward Easton Cowan.

Goalie Joseph Woll was also activated to the roster, while netminder Artur Akhtyamov was sent back to the AHL’s Marlies.

As you may recall, Matthews left Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins in the second period after taking a hit from Nikita Zadorov that sent him into the boards.

As for Woll, he had been on a leave of absence since training camp for personal reasons. He has since returned and even played for the Marlies on a conditioning stint, and appears ready to join the main roster at a very crucial time.

Anthony Stolarz, who been heavily relied upon since the start of the season, has a 3.51 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage in 13 games so far this season.

Woll could bring a boost the Maple Leafs desperately need in order to get back on track. He mentioned on Friday after practice that he is good to go whenever Leafs call his number.

If not, the players could always rely on former Leaf Tomas Kaberle’s advice to just go out and get drunk.