The Toronto Maple Leafs have a mighty big hole to dig out of after falling 3-1 to the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their first-round series and now trailing the best-of-seven by that same score.

Outside of what looked like a lack of effort from the Maple Leafs, it didn’t help that Toronto’s biggest star could not finish the game as Auston Matthews did not return to the bench to start the third period.

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe explained that an illness Matthews has been battling led to the team doctor removing him from the game.

“It’s all just it’s all related to the illness he’s been dealing with, Keefe said.  Ultimately, he’s been giving us everything that he has here. Ultimately, the doctor pulled him.”

Matthews was the driving force behind the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 victory against the Bruins in Game 2, scoring the game-winning goal and assisting on the other two tallies. But since that time he hasn’t quite looked the same. He kept away from the ice for the team’s full morning skate ahead of Game 3 and the full team practice before Game 4.

anyone’s out due to anything other than a healthy scratch, you’re very concerned about him,” Morgan Rielly said of Matthews. “He’s a competitor. If he’s able to play, he’s going to come out and play. And if not, obviously we’re thinking about him. But we got guys who are going to get ready for the game.”

There’s been multiple reports that have suggested that Matthews is getting over food poisoning. It certainly explains why Matthews may not have been himself.

William Nylander made his playoffs debut after missing the first three games with a reported migraine issue, adding to a list of availability issues Toronto has had with their core players.

“It sucks to see him not return for the third, hopefully, he’s ready for the next game,” Nylander said.

Toronto’s success was going to hinge on their star players being able to contribute in a meaningful way. Although Matthews and Nylander have excuses, the same can’t be said for forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares, who have contributed very little in the series.

The Leafs need to win three consecutive games if they have any chance at advancing to the second round.