With the last-place Winnipeg Jets in Toronto for a New Year’s Day clash, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will return to action after missing Tuesday’s win over the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury.
The 28-year-old, who also skated on Wednesday, centred the top line in between wingers Matthew Knies and Max Domi during Thursday’s morning skate.
Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game at 7pm ET/4pm PT on TSN3, TSN.ca and the TSN App.
Matthews suffered the injury when he blocked a shot against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, adding he “felt good” after Wednesday’s practice.
“Pretty worrisome,” Matthews said of the injury. “You never know what [the injury] could be. It caught me in a difficult spot and was pretty swollen for a few days.”
Forward William Nylander, sidelined for two straight games with a lower-body injury, was on the ice before the morning skate, but did not participate with the rest of the team during the main portion of the practice.
Nylander won’t play against the Jets and is “doubtful” to practice on Friday.
Veteran defenceman Chris Tanev (groin) and forward Dakota Joshua (kidney) are both expected to miss “significant time” with injuries.
Matthews has 15 goals and 12 assists over 33 games this season with the Maple Leafs.
Toronto has played better hockey as of late, winning three of their last four games, with the lone loss coming against the Red Wings in overtime.
With Matthews back in the lineup, head coach Craig Berube said the Leafs can’t afford to take their “foot off the gas.”
“Those guys that stepped it up [against the Devils] like we needed them to, they’ve got to keep it up,” Berube said Thursday. “It’s about the team and the team guy. We need every guy to be at his best.
“Just because Auston is back doesn’t mean you can relax. We have to go out there and dictate the pace of the game tonight. Initiate in all areas of the game tonight.”
The Maple Leafs own a 18-15-16 record trough 39 games and sit four points behind the red-hot Buffalo Sabres, who have won 10 straight games, for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The struggling Jets have lost seven straight games and sit last in the NHL with a 15-19-4 record.
Projected Lines vs. Jets
F
Knies-Matthews-Domi
Maccelli-Tavares-McMann
Cowan-Roy-Robertson
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok
Extra: Quillan
D
Rielly-Myers
McCabe-OEL
Benoit-Stecher
Extra: Carlo and Benning
G
Woll in starters goal
Hildeby
