The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting their captain back.
Forward Auston Matthews is returning to the lineup against the Winnipeg Jets, he told reporters following Thursday's morning skate.
Matthews missed Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury suffered after blocking a shot on Sunday.
"Caught me in a difficult spot and (his foot) was pretty swollen for a few days," Matthews said of the injury. "It's not like we have an abundance of days to let things settle. We're playing every day so it's just kind of one of those things I just had to manage and push forward."
On the season, the San Ramon, Calif., native has 15 goals and 27 points in 34 games.
Meanwhile, fellow star William Nylander worked out prior to morning skate, but did not take the to ice with his teammates.
Head coach Craig Berube told reporters that it's unlikely Nylander will practise on Friday as he continues to recover from a lower-body injury. He's considered day-to-day.
The Maple Leafs sit seventh in the Atlantic division with an 18-15-6 record. They are four points out of a playoff spot.
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