Leafs star Matthews says he’s ready to play after missing nine games with injury

By The Canadian Press on November 29, 2024.

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says he is ready to return to the lineup ahead of Toronto's road game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Matthews skates the bench as he celebrates a goal against the New York Rangers during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Saturday, October 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

SUNRISE, Fla. – Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says he is ready to return to the lineup ahead of Toronto’s road game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Matthews told reporters after practice on Friday that he is back and excited to play.

The star centre has missed nine games with an undisclosed upper-body injury that led to him seeing a specialist in Munich, Germany. He returned to skating last weekend.

The Maple Leafs won seven of the nine games that Matthews missed.

Matthews has five goals and six assists in 13 games this season. He is coming off a stellar 2023-24 campaign that saw him put up 69 goals.

Leafs forward Matthew Knies also participated in a full practice Friday and could be activated off injured reserve for Saturday’s game. He has missed two games with an upper-body injury after being hit by Vegas defenceman Zach Whitecloud in a game on Nov. 20.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2024.