Maple Leafs collectively denounce Nikita Zadorov's hit on Auston Matthews: "He was in a vulnerable position"

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews sustained a lower-body injury after a hit from behind by Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in Tuesday's 5-3 defeat.

Matthews headed to the locker room after the hit in the second period and did not return to the ice. He was eventually ruled out with a lower-body injury. After the game, members of the Maple Leafs strongly criticized Nikita Zadorov’s hit on Auston Matthews.

Head coach Craig Berube said:

"I think it’s a penalty, personally, but I’m not the referee. I don’t like it. I don’t like the hit. He’s in a vulnerable position. So, whatever, nothing I can do about it."

Max Domi, who confronted Nikita Zadorov immediately after the play, avoided detailed comment but noted:

"I mean, listen, I'm not going to comment too much on that stuff. That all stays in the glass out there, but you don't want to see anyone go down, and especially your captain, and guys that mean a lot to our team get injured like that. So, you just got to stick together and stand in there. Like I said, I think we did a good job of that as a whole third period."

Meanwhile, veteran John Tavares expressed his disapproval of the play as a dangerous hit to the back:

Yeah, I saw it quick. I mean, obviously, Auston has his back facing the play, so you don't like seeing anyone get hit in the numbers. And obviously, especially our leader, and obviously one of the best players in the game and our best player, we don't want any liberties taken. Obviously, we didn't like the hit," Tavares said.

There is still no update on the extent of Auston Matthews' injury, and it's unclear whether he'll suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Kings.

Maple Leafs HC provides update on Anthony Stolarz injury

Netminder Anthony Stolarz was another player the Leafs lost to injury. Stolarz sustained an upper-body injury after exiting the game in the first period.

Head coach Craig Berube said after the game that he doesn’t believe Stolarz’s injury is serious.

“I don’t believe that’s serious. I think he’ll be fine,” Leafs head coach Craig Berube said via TSN.

The Maple Leafs slipped to seventh in the Atlantic Division standings with a 8-8-1 record.