Matthews Returns to Maple Leafs Lineup
Auston Matthews is back in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup for Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The return of their star center and captain marks the end of a nine-game absence due to an upper-body injury.
Ready to Return to Action
“In my mind, I’m playing tomorrow and I’m excited to be back,” Matthews said. “I didn’t forget how to play hockey over the last three weeks, but obviously there’s going to be a little bit of rust and a little bit of excitement to be back and playing again.”
Matthews participated in a full practice on Tuesday and expressed a desire to get back on the ice as soon as possible.
Lineup Shuffle
At Friday’s practice, Matthews was slotted in between Matthew Knies and William Nylander. When asked about the line chemistry, Nylander spoke highly of Matthews.
“I think we have unbelievable chemistry together when we play together, the way we find each other and obviously it’s the best goal scorer in the League, so it’s fun to play with him.”
Strong Team Performance During Absence
While Matthews accrued 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 13 games this season, Toronto maintained a strong record without him. They defeated the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, securing a one-point lead in the Atlantic Division. Overall, the Maple Leafs have a solid 42-21-2 record in games played without Matthews since he entered the league in 2016-17.
Matthews: A Scoring Force
Last season, Matthews led the NHL with a career-high 69 goals. He has consistently delivered, scoring at least 40 goals in each of the past five seasons. Since entering the league in 2016-17, Matthews has amassed an impressive 373 goals, surpassing Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, who sits in second place with 343 goals.
Back to Help the Team
“It’s not fun watching obviously, it definitely kills me not to be out there but like I said the other day, the guys have been playing really well,” Matthews said. “I think it’s a sign of great things to come, a great team. Obviously with the loss [to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday], we want to get back on track and end the road trip on the right foot.”
How does Auston Matthews plan to contribute to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff push?
## Back On The Ice: An Interview with Auston Matthews
**(Interviewer):** Auston, welcome back! It’s great to see you back on the ice after that nine-game absence. How are you feeling?
**(Matthews):** It feels great to be back. It’s never easy sitting out, but I’m feeling good now and ready to get back out there with the guys. [[1](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/auston-matthews-says-he-s-back-in-saturday-matthew-knies-returns-to-regular-spot-at-skate-1.2211592)]
**(Interviewer):** You mentioned a bit of rust. What are you doing to shake that off before tomorrow’s game against Tampa Bay?
**(Matthews):** I’ve been working hard in practise, getting the timing and feel back. It’s never quite the same as game speed, but I’m confident I’ll be ready to go.
**(Interviewer):** The Leafs have managed to stay competitive in your absence. What are your expectations for the team now that you’re back?
**(Matthews):** This team has shown incredible resilience. We have a lot of talent and depth. I’m excited to jump back in and contribute to our push for the playoffs.
**(Interviewer):** The Lightning are a tough opponent. What are your thoughts going into tomorrow night’s game?
**(Matthews):** They’re always a challenge, but I’m excited to test myself against the best. It’s going to be a hard-fought game, but I think we’re ready.
**(Interviewer):** Thanks for your time, Auston. We’re all looking forward to seeing you back in action tomorrow night.
**(Matthews):** Thanks for having me.
