The Toronto Maple Leafs are eagerly anticipating the return of their captain, Auston Matthews, following his triumphant stint in Milan, Italy. Matthews led Team USA to Olympic gold against Canada, but now the NHL season is about to resume, and the Leafs need him back in action.
Toronto finds itself in a tight spot, needing a hot streak to avoid becoming sellers before the March 6 trade deadline. Matthews' presence on the ice is crucial for their success.
Here's the scoop: Chris Johnston from The Athletic shared that Matthews is set to rejoin the Leafs on Wednesday in Tampa Bay. This comes after Team USA receives recognition from President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
However, there's a bit of uncertainty. It’s not yet clear if Matthews will lace up against the Lightning on Wednesday. After all the celebrations and the whirlwind of international play, questions remain about his physical and mental readiness.
Ideally, the Leafs would give Matthews a breather before throwing him back into the fray. But this season hasn't been ideal for Toronto. They've hit some rough patches and can’t afford for Matthews to miss significant time.
All eyes will be on the Leafs and their captain as the NHL picks up again. How they manage Matthews' return could be pivotal for their playoff hopes.