The center left a 4-3 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday with 42 seconds remaining in the third period after he was hit in the head by Carolina defenseman Brett Pesce's knee while falling back into the boards. Matthews remained on the ice for several minutes but skated off under his own power.
"When I got back to the room I was just a bit shaken up," Matthews said Wednesday. "It just happened so quick but fortunately I was able to calm down and everything checked out well so I was fortunate it was nothing serious."
Matthews, who played in the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game, had a scheduled day off Tuesday and met with doctors before returning to practice Wednesday.
"I just felt like I got hit in the side of the head pretty hard and wasn't expecting it so I was just a bit shaken up, but I felt fine later that night and felt good the next day and throughout the day," Matthews said. "Talking with the medical team there was no hesitation jumping into practice today and just be right there at it."
Matthews scored two goals Monday and leads Toronto with 31, third in the NHL behind New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider (33) and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (33). Matthews' 53 points are tied for eighth in the NHL.
"Auston's situation looks like he's going to be OK and be good for tomorrow," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Wednesday.
Matthews missed three games this season recovering from offseason wrist surgery.
"Obviously that's not something you want to see, but he is our guy and hopefully he is OK," Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly said Monday.
Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin also will play Thursday after missing seven games because of a concussion. Toronto's lineup will feature 11 forwards and seven defensemen; forward Wayne Simmonds will not play after his wife gave birth to the couple's second child.
NHL.com independent correspondents Dave McCarthy and Aaron Vickers contributed to this report
