COLUMBUS, Ohio — If the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to find their way out of their current skid, they’ll at least have their optimal forward lineup to lead them.
Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy will all return to the Leafs lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. All three players had been dealing with unspecified injuries.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks but over the last four or five days or so, skating and practicing, I was starting to feel really good day after day,” Matthews said.
The trio hasn’t been in the lineup together since a Nov. 11 loss to the Boston Bruins. Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after Tuesday’s practice that it wasn’t a sure thing all three forwards would return, but Matthews and Roy took part in morning skate in Columbus and appeared to be back to full health.
“It’s a boost for our team, for morale, getting our captain back for sure. The other two guys are good players, important players,” Berube said.
The lineup changes come at a crucial point in the Leafs season.
Having lost seven of their last eight games and now sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, the struggling Leafs could use all the help they can get. They are beginning a pivotal five-game road trip that could make or break their season.
“It’s great to get the guys back, but it doesn’t change everything, right? We need to play better. We need everybody to play better,” Berube said.
Sammy Blais was put on waivers to make room on the roster for the returning forwards.
Jacob Quillan stayed out late after morning skate along with Blais, Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli. With Knies and Matthews coming off injured reserve, Quillan will likely be assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
This will likely be the first time Joshua is scratched as a Leaf. Asked to assess Joshua’s game as of late, Berube said: “Just OK. We chatted today. He’s got more to give, and he knows that. He wants to give more.”
Berube suggested he would “spread out” his lines against the Blue Jackets. Given Berube’s propensity to change the forward lines this season, and with all four of his centres back, it’s possible he rolls out another new look.
If the goal is balancing his forward lines, could this lineup work?
Knies-Matthews-Robertson
Nylander-Tavares-Cowan
Domi-Roy-McMann
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok
Matthews insists he’s feeling much better after taking a few hits from Bruins defenceman Nikita Zadorov on Nov. 11. He hasn’t played since.
“I’m three feet away from the boards and he hits me in the numbers,” Matthews said. “But I know his game and he likes to play hard and you respect that. At the same time, maybe I could have put myself in a better position knowing that he’s out there and put myself away from getting hit like that. But in the end, it’s hockey, and you go through it, and it’s all good.”
When healthy, Matthews has only flirted with his all-world best this season. He has nine goals and 14 points through 17 games and has remained a staunch defensive forward. Yet the former Hart Trophy winner also has not taken over games the way he has in the past.
Matthews said he didn’t think his injury would linger too heavily and impact his game, most notably his shot.
“I think it’s just one of those things that needs time to heal. And especially over the next couple days or so, I’m sure it will just continue to feel better,” Matthews said.
Knies last played Nov. 15 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He said on Wednesday that his injury first popped up a month ago before he realized it would require time to heal.
“I feel great, feel a lot better,” Knies said. “I’m glad I can come in healthy and make an impact and hopefully help us win.”
Roy also last played Nov. 15. The defensive centre is still finding his way with the Leafs after being acquired in the offseason.
The Leafs are 9-10-3 this season.
