Leafs’ Auston Matthews returns to practice; Ekman-Larsson out with illness
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have their No. 1 centre back.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs may have their No. 1 centre back.
Auston Matthews was a full participant at Monday’s practice for the first time since re-aggravating an upper-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 20, multiple reports said.
Since then, Matthews has missed four games as the Leafs have gone 1-3 while allowing 21 goals and at least five per contest.
The current stretch is the second significant injury layoff of the season for Matthews, who also missed nine consecutive games in November.
Matthews, who scored 69 goals to win the Rocket Richard Trophy last season, has 11 markers and 12 assists in 24 games this season.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs said defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was absent from practice due to illness.
The Swede has skated in all 37 games to date in his first season with the Maple Leafs, compiling one goal and 12 assists.
Toronto returns to the ice for a Tuesday matinée against the New York Islanders in the first half of a home-and-home set that concludes Thursday.
