Two Key Leafs Player Return To Ice Ahead of Matchup Against the Golden Knights

With the Maple Leafs taking on the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night, it's a crucial game for the team as they lost an easy game against the San Jose Sharks. Vegas are no slouch, and will be looking to keep their place atop the Pacific Division.

So with that being said, the team needs as much help on the ice as possible, and practice saw the return of two key players, although only one is scheduled to play.

Toronto sees the return of forward Steven Lorentz after a brief injury, and will look to add some more toughness and grit to the lineup against a vicious Vegas side.

This season, Lorentz has been a very solid fourth liner for Toronto coming off a Cup win with the Panthers. In 59 games he has 14 points (5G, 9A) as well as only four PIM and adding 148 hits.

He signed a PTO with the team this summer and impressed enough to earn a one-year deal.

The practice also saw the return of the team's heart and soul on defense; Chris Tanev although he is not scheduled to play against Vegas and will likely take another couple of days to recover.

His appearance is a positive sign nonetheless.

This will be Tanev's fourth game missed since getting ran into the boards by Boston's John Beecher. Originally seen leaving the arena in a sling, the worst was feared for the blueliner.

But he avoided a serious catastrophe and Toronto has had to deal without him during a crucial stretch though they went 2-0-1 without their defensive backbone.

There is a chance he does return on Saturday against the Avalanche, which would give him another three days of rest including today. That should be more than enough time for him to get back to form and be ready for Colorado.

Tanev was one of Brad Treliving's key acquisitions this past offseason and has been as advertised.

In 57 games, he has 17 points (2G, 15A) but giving his usual shot-blocking prowess with 151 and being a huge factor into why Toronto has been so successful.

Craig Berube is going to need all the reinforcements he can get as the season winds down, and who knows what new faces are going to come in after Friday's deadline passes.