Report: Matthews finally returns to Leafs

The 2018-19 season got off to a roaring start for Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs. After storming out of the gate with 10 goals and 16 points in his first 11 games, it looked like Matthews was the NHL’s best bet to hit 50 goals this season… then injury struck. It’s been exactly one month to the day that Matthews left a game against the Winnipeg Jets after taking a hard, but clean, hit from Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba. Initially the prognosis was that Matthews would be out a “minimum” of four weeks and if today’s report is any indication, the prognosis was dead on.

Matthews returned to Leafs practice today which isn’t really news in and of itself, but the biggest difference between today and previous practices is that Matthews did NOT don the red “no contact” jersey for practice. In other words: his shoulder is ready for contact. This is, of course, excellent news and likely points to Matthews returning to game action later this week. 

Auston Matthews has arrived for Leafs practice in a regular sweater, not a red no-contact sweater. That's different. 

Matthews has said he needed at least one full-contact practice before returning.

According to Matthews though, he’s good to go.

Auston Matthews says he feels ready to play tomorrow vs. San Jose but still needs to be cleared medically.

Auston Matthews said he feels ready to play tomorrow vs. San Jose, but will have to speak to #Leafs medical staff. Obviously not only his decision, but if he gets the green light, he’ll be good to go.

Now, Leafs fans are left to play the waiting game. We should know by this time tomorrow whether or not he’ll be in the lineup against the San Jose Sharks. Stay tuned.