Auston Matthews mysteriously absent from practice today

With the playoffs approaching rapidly, the most important thing for teams who are looking like their playoff position is locked up is to remain healthy and get ready for playoff hockey. Of course, that means intense speculation whenever something abnormal comes up. Today, it is the fact that Auston Matthews is absent from practice.

According to David Alter, Auston Matthews is not at practice this morning for the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of their game against the Capitals.

There is no telling the reason why Matthews is not at practice, especially as Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has mentioned wanting to get his guys to rest before the playoffs start. Keefe was also extremely upset with his core guys after the loss to the Devils. However, having the Leafs' best player potentially injured before the playoffs begin is causing some internal panic for Leaf fans.

If Matthews does miss the game tonight, he risks missing the 70-goal mark on the regular season, something that fans likely care about more than he does.

We will see what the reason behind the absence is and if Matthews is in the lineup tonight for the Leafs as they take on the Capitals.