Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews calls for his return against Lightning

Center Auston Matthews informed reporters Friday that he intends to make his return for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night.

The three-time NHL goal scoring champion (2020-21, 2021-22, 2023-24) has been out for Toronto since Nov. 3 with what has been termed an upper-body injury. He has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 13 appearances this year.

The 27-year-old met with reporters Friday, saying, "In my mind I'm back and excited to play tomorrow."

The Leafs have found scoring in creative places playing without Matthews the past month. Mitch Marner leads the club in points (29) and assists (20), while William Nylander leads in goals (14). John Tavares has also accumulated 20 points this season (nine goals, 11 assists), while Morgan Rielly, a defenseman, is fourth in points with 13.

In three of the previous four seasons, Matthews led his team and the league in goals, notching 41 in the abridged 2020-21 season, 60 in 2021-22 and 69 in 2023-24.

The Maples Leafs (13-7-2, 28 points) are in second place in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Florida Panthers.

--Field Level Media