Leafs' captain Auston Matthews back on ice for practice after long injury absence

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was back practicing with the team on Monday morning for the first time since re-aggravating his upper-body injury. Matthews has missed the last four games due to the ailment, combining to be sidelined for a total of 13 games this season.

Matthews has recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in the 24 games he's been healthy enough to play in so far during the 2024-2025 campaign. Although his production this season hasn't been quite up to his lofty standards, the Maple Leafs will surely welcome his return to the lineup as soon as possible. The team and their fans received some good news on their best player on Monday.

Maple Leafs reporter and journalist David Alter shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the superstar Center was staying on the ice to practice with the team.

"Practice is about to get underway. Matthews is taking part," Alter said on X.

Matthews' full participation in Monday's team practice is the first time he's done so since he was injured in December 20's 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

"Auston Matthews is a full participant in Leafs practice today. This marks the Leafs’ first practice since Matthews was injured on Dec. 20," said Leafslatest on X.

Auston Matthews' status for the Maple Leafs game on Tuesday afternoon against the New York Islanders has still yet to be determined, though his full participation in practice is a good sign that his return is on the horizon.

Maple Leafs have felt the absence of Auston Matthews for the last four games

After managing to go 7-2-0 during Auston Matthews' first stint on the injured reserve, the Maple Leafs have not had that same success the second time around. Toronto has gone 1-3-0 without their captain and has been outscored 18-12 in the process.

The Maple Leafs (22-13-2) are currently in a tie with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Divison at 46 points. Matthews will look to help his team create some separation in the standings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, and potentially Auston Matthews, will take on the New York Islanders tomorrow afternoon at Scotiabank Arena. These two teams faced off on December 21 where the Isles took down the Leafs 6-3 without Matthews. His presence in tomorrow's matchup would create a much tougher test for New York. The puck drops at 1 p.m. EST.