John Tavares is inching towards a return to the lineup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward practised on Friday in a regular sweater for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury in October.
Tavares previously practised in a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old will now reconvene with Maple Leafs staff to get the green light to play against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday Night Hockey (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PCT).
Even still, Tavares said his status for the Habs game "was heading in that direction," per Sportsnet's Anna Dua.
Tavares had two goals and five assists in seven games before his injury.
Elsewhere, Jack Roslovic also returned to practice after missing Wednesday's for maintenance.
Roslovic suffered an undisclosed injury near the end of Tuesday's loss to the Utah Mammoth. The winger scored twice in that game to bring his season totals to eight goals and 10 assists in 17 games.
