Maple Leafs get much-needed reinforcements with Auston Matthews back, and he's not the only one
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting some important reinforcements on Wednesday as the team sees the return of Auston Matthews to the lineup -- and he's not alone.
It's been quite the tough season for the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to dealing with injuries. They have had multiple top stars sidelined, and are still without key names like Chris Tanev and Anthony Stolarz, whose return timelines remain unclear.
Heading into Wednesday's game against Columbus, the team is trying to bounce back after a difficult game versus the Montreal Canadiens, and are going to need as much firepower as possible to get back on track.
Luckily for them, they are getting their captain back, along with additional reinforcements.
Per David Alter, Auston Matthews has confirmed he is back in the Maple Leafs lineup, with Alter also noting that forward Nicolas Roy will also return on Wednesday:
Auston Matthews confirms he is returning to the lineup tonight.
Nic Roy is also returning tonight.
In addition to Matthews and Roy returning, the team is also going to get Matthew Knies back in action as the team now has three of their regulars back in the fold, which could help stabilize things going forward.
Matthews spoke to TSN's Mark Masters after practice and explained that he felt great physically and ready to get back to work:
It's been a tough couple weeks, but I think over the last four, five days or so, skating, practising, started to feel really good day after day. Stacked some positive momentum and feel like I'm ready to go.
There is no indication of where Matthews, Knies, or Roy will line up tonight, and their placement tonight will be determined closer to game time.
Also according to Alter, the team is going to be scratching Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, Sammy Blais, and Jacob Quillan -- one typical scratch and three additional to make room for the trio of returning players.
Joshua, Maccelli, Blais, Quillan are staying out late for work. Looks like they will be scratched tonight as Matthews Knies and Roy come in.
So who does Toronto have at their disposal against Columbus?
What Toronto gets back tonight: the forwards, the blue line and the crease
While there has been no lineups discussed as of yet, based off Alter's reports of what practice looked like, this is who Toronto will use against the Blue Jackets on Wednesday night:
Forwards
Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, William Nylander, John Tavares, Bobby McMann, Max Domi, Nic Roy, Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, Easton Cowan, Nicholas Robertson
Defensemen
Goaltenders
If we were to go off past lineups, Matthews will head back into his top line center spot while John Tavares goes back down to the second line.
Knies has been used on both the first and second line this year so his placement is still a bit up in the air but seeing him alongside Matthews wouldn't be a surprise.
Roy's return could help stabilize the bottom-six, and he will not only ground thing things but keep Max Domi away from center.
Matthews has been off to a slower start but still has 14 points in 17 games (9 goals, 5 assists) and if he can stay healthy and produce consistently, it would be a major lift for the team.
Knies' return adds significant production and could help the team's overall energy. He has 22 points in 19 games (5 goals, 17 assists) while still keeping up his physical nature with 50 hits.
Roy hasn't had an amazing start to his Maple Leafs tenure but his defensive acumen and physical play could provide an element the team has lacked recently.
While the team still deals with injuries, the returns of Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Nic Roy are a meaningful step toward fielding a healthier and more complete lineup.
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