Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is eager to have his captain back on the ice as the team prepares to host the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. Star centre Auston Matthews is set to return to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils due to a lower-body injury sustained from blocking a shot.
Matthews Finding His Form Before Setback
The injury came at an unfortunate time for Matthews, who was just beginning to hit his stride. In the two games prior to getting hurt in Detroit, the elite goal-scorer had recorded four points. His coach had taken note of a significant improvement in his play.
"I really like the way he's playing lately, driving the play," Berube said following the team's morning skate. "He's getting a lot of opportunities and playing with pace and determination. A week ago I started noticing he's taking pucks in the middle of the ice more and attacking."
Matthews described the moment of the injury, which occurred on December 28th. "It was worrisome at the time, because you never know (the severity)," he admitted. "It caught me in a difficult (unpadded) spot and it was pretty swollen for a few days." Despite the discomfort, he nearly scored an overtime winner in that same game against the Red Wings.
Lineup Adjustments and Team Health
With Matthews returning, the projection is that he will centre a line with Matthew Knies and Max Domi. His return pushes call-up Jacob Quillan out of the lineup. However, the Leafs' injury woes are not fully behind them.
Top winger William Nylander remains sidelined with his own lower-body issue, missing his third consecutive game. His absence continues to force Berube to experiment with line combinations. The team is also without forward Dakota Joshua (kidney) and defenceman Chris Tanev (groin) for the next few weeks.
In goal, Joseph Woll will get the start for Toronto after posting a shutout against the Devils. He boasts a .923 save percentage, leading Berube to move away from a rotation with Dennis Hildeby.
Critical Stretch in the Eastern Conference
The return of their captain comes at a crucial juncture for the Maple Leafs. With a record of 18-15-6, the team finds itself in a tight Eastern Conference race, sitting just four points out of the final wild-card playoff spot as of January 1, 2026.
"The energy in here has been great," Matthews said of the locker room. "There is opportunity (to move up in the East) but you have to make the most of it, collect points, especially in your division."
The team will look to extend its points streak against a struggling Winnipeg Jets squad that has lost seven consecutive games. The Jets are expected to start goaltender Eric Comrie, giving Connor Hellebuyck a rest.
Personally, Matthews also resumes his chase of a major franchise milestone. He sits just four goals shy of Mats Sundin's all-time Toronto Maple Leafs record of 420 goals.
