Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Reveals Huge News on His Return

He hasn't played since December 20th, his second extended absence of the season, and Toronto Maple Leafs fans were starting to get nervous about Auston Matthews' mystery injury status. Everyone can exhale today as the captain has revealed that he is back—he'll return to the lineup for Saturday night's game against the Boston Bruins.

Auston Matthews confirms that he's returning to the #leafs lineup tonight.

"The last couple skates I've had have felt good."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 4, 2025

"The last couple skates I've had have felt good," Matthews told reporters after the morning skate. For now, he plans to play again on Sunday as well, when Toronto hosts the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Obviously it’s never fun watching so I’m excited to get back in.”

It was only three days ago, on Wednesday, when he sounded very uncertain about when he'd be able to return.

In the last six games that he's been unavailable due to an upper-body injury, the Leafs went 3-3-0. They were 7-2-0 in his previous nine-game absence earlier in the season.

Berube on Matthews: He’s our captain, he’s a great player we all know that. He just drives the pace of play. Extremely hard worker, plays 200 feet.”

Berube said he likes the look of the Knies-Matthews-Marner line, and they’ve had success together before. https://t.co/20nCcFoOaO
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) January 4, 2025

Head coach Craig Berube said about Matthews, "He’s our captain, he’s a great player we all know that. He just drives the pace of play. Extremely hard worker, plays 200 feet.”

Matthews will slot back in between Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies on the top line, while John Tavares moves back between William Nylander and Max Pacioretty on the second line. David Kampf, who was extremely miscast on the second line at times recently, moves, mercilessly for Leafs fans, back down to the 4th line.

In 24 games, Matthews has 11 goals and 23 points, coming off his franchise-record 69-goal campaign last year.